A county councillor has claimed HS2 will cause “unacceptable” damage to Staffordshire.
The controversial high speed rail line is set to cut through parts of Lichfield and the surrounding villages.
A Hybrid Bill is expected to be presented to Parliament before the end of the year.
But a report to Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet says the fight against the line must continue.
“If left unchallenged the proposed route for HS2 will cause unacceptable damage to our countryside and communities in Staffordshire,” said Cllr Mark Winnington, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure.
“We are opposed to the scheme and are determined to continue to champion the Staffordshire voice and if necessary petitioning against the Hybrid Bill presents an opportunity to work with county partners to influence the current design and route.
“Although the Bill is on Phase One there will be undoubtedly lessons we can take forward to lessen the impact of the second phase should it go ahead.”
The report on progress of the introduction of the Hybrid Bill will be discussed by Cabinet tomorrow (November 20).
Once the Bill is introduced to Parliament individuals, groups and organisations ‘directly and specially affected’ by the provisions of the bill may petition against it.
