Lichfield’s MP has lodged a formal complaint over remarks made by HS2 officials at an event to discuss plans for the high speed rail line.
Representatives from HS2 Limited were talking to residents at the Armitage Community Forum when claims over the location of the Y-junction – where the line splits to travel north to Leeds and Manchester – were made.
And the Conservative MP has now lodged his complaint with the project’s chief executive Alison Munro.
“I am told by other MPs that the experience at Armitage is not unique,” he said. “This has happened elsewhere too.
“In this instance, a large number of people at the forum were given the impression that the Y-junction would be in Fradley in my constituency with two lines – not just the one we already know about – cutting swathes through Staffordshire countryside.
“All through last weekend I was fielding calls from worried councillors and locals in the area. But this is not the case. I can reveal that the Y will be sited just north of Coleshill and the route to Leeds will closely follow the line of the M42 motorway.
“I have said to Ms Munro that while the community forums are a good way to keep locals informed, the whole process is flawed if announcements made are not absolutely clear and cause unnecessary alarm. They will not have set out to mislead, but succeeded in doing so. I have suggested HS2 employ better communicators.”
Mr Fabricant has also called on HS2 Limited’s chief executive to open discussions with protest groups along the route.
He explained: “I have also encouraged her to engage in a two-way process with Stop HS2 groups to discuss mitigation – reducing noise, vibration and visual impact of the line – and compensation matters.
“Over the last few months, they have been reticent to do so.”
