The MP for Hints and Hopwas has raised issues over the environmental impact of high speed rail in Parliament.
Christopher Pincher intervened during a report by Louise Ellman, chairman of of the Transport Select Committee.
She had been discussing the publication of the Committee’s report into HS2, when Mr Pincher asked whether Mrs Ellman believed the fact the environmental impact had not been properly assessed, would have “a significant effect on the net cost-benefit ratio in the business case?”.
The Transport Select Committee’s chairman replied: “I cannot anticipate what the impact would be, but we think that other factors, including the importance of reducing current overcrowding, should be assessed as well.
“Ultimately, any cost-benefit ratio would have to take account of the findings in regard to those factors, and possibly others as well.”
Speaking after raising his questions, Mr Pincher said he believed more questions need to be answered before a decision on high speed rail can be made.
“It is clear that there are still many questions about the business case of HS2,” he said. “In addition to environmental factors, blight is not taken into consideration in the proposals.
“Blight will affect revenues to the Treasury due to reduced income from Stamp Duty. The Government needs to investigate the entire case for HS2 so the taxpayer is not left to foot a huge bill for this project.
“The Transport Select Committee’s report raises an array of questions which the Department for Transport must address. I will continue to work with local action groups in Hints, Drayton Bassett and Hopwas to question the business case of this project which I just do not think stacks up.”
Should HS2 get the go-ahead, the line would cut through parts of Lichfield and the surrounding villages.
