Lichfield’s MP has renewed his calls for campaigners and politicians to work together to resolve the issue of HS2.
Michael Fabricant’s comments come after Staffordshire County Council announced that it was likely to oppose the proposed high speed rail line that would cut through Lichfield and other parts of the region.
But the Conservative MP believes all interested parties must be prepared to work together if a revised route still sees the line cut through the city.
He said:
“My focus remains on the route the HS2 lines may take if, after the national inquiry to be held in 2011, it is still decided to proceed with the project.
“The Secretary of State Philip Hammond met local councillors and HS2 Campaigners in Lichfield in October and just a couple of weeks ago I presented him with a petition of over 3,000 names asking him to change the route proposed by Lord Adonis – the previous Labour Transport Secretary – to mitigate the effects on Lichfield and surrounding villages. He is well aware of the strength of feeling – including my own.
“A revised route will be published in December. I hope that the effect on Staffordshire will be minimal. But if it is not, I urge all local MPs, councillors and campaigners to work together to present a coherent argument and alternative route at the inquiry next year.
“This inquiry will also look at the very principle of HS2 and its benefits or otherwise on the national economy. That will be the occasion for the County and others to submit evidence not just on HS2’s effect on the County, but on the national interest.”
