The Green Party in Lichfield has called for plans for a high speed rail route through Lichfield to be thrown out in favour of an upgraded public transport network.
The comments come from a spokesman in the city after the party’s conference saw the HS2 plans described as “economically and environmentally unsound”.
The views were supported by the party’s advisor on sustainable development, Professor John Whitelegg, who claimed the new route would be a “rich person’s railway”.
Greens spokesman for Lichfield, Richard Spencer, added:
“So far, the Green Party is the only one of the four major parties in the region to come out against the current HS2 plans, which are set to bring massive disruption and would offer no significant benefit to those who would suffer most.
“What we need really need is huge investment in the regional bus, tram and train networks and only when local travel is sufficiently affordable and convenient would it make sense to look into any possible benefits from anything like HS2.”
However, the Greens have admitted they are in favour of high speed rail in principle, as long as any scheme met strict criteria regarding the environment and other factors.
