A campaign group has welcomed Staffordshire County Council’s decision to oppose plans for a high speed rail line through parts of Lichfield and the surrounding area.
Councillors voted against the HS2 scheme last week as the battle lines begin to be drawn up around the proposal.
The public consultation is already underway on the issue and protesters from the Whittington & Fisherwick Stop the HS2 Action Group believes the county council’s decision is further evidence that the planned line should be scrapped.
John Heeler from the group said:
“We were pleased to hear of Staffordshire County Council’s decision to oppose the HS2 proposal. This really isn’t just a ‘nimby’ issue as we firmly believe there is no economic case. There are upgrades to existing structures as an alternative. Spending appalling amounts of the tax payers money on something only very few will use, at a time when our country faces such austerity, should be unthinkable.
“We are committed to spreading the word not just along the route which will face an enormous blight but to all those others that will be affected, whether you will be paying more tax or having your own services cut to provide the funds to pay for HS2.
“The Government’s consultation process is now underway and our own Lichfield roadshow will take place on June 8 and 9 when we ask everyone to give their views during this limited time.”
At the vote, county councillors said Hs2 should be opposed on the grounds that:
- The business case is flawed.
- There is no economic benefit for Staffordshire and it would actually damage the county’s economy.
- It would cause significant environmental damage.
- Investment should be made in improving affordable rail and road transport.
