Plans to speed up the development of high speed rail could make a “huge difference” to Lichfield, the area’s MP has warned.
The HS2 Plus report by Sir David Higgins, the new chairman of HS2 Ltd, recommended bringing forward the construction of phase two – the northern stretch of the line.
This would also mean the controversial rail line up to Crewe would be built as part of the first phase.
Michael Fabricant MP said: “This might make a huge difference in Lichfield.
“At present phase one ends in the Lichfield constituency and Phase two begins. This necessitates an additional new railway line joining the end of phase one temporarily to the West Coast Main Line with a major junction north of the City of Lichfield. It is possible that this might not be necessary if the line is now to be built straight to Crewe.
“I am seeking to clarify this with the Department for Transport and what other changes might be made to the HS2 route in the constituency.
“I am still backing the alternative macro route change which would take HS2 in and out of Birmingham using existing rail and road corridors and brownfield sites.”
Mr Fabricant has now tabled urgent Parliamentary Questions on the issue, but admits the resolution to them may not be immediate.
“I suspect that at this time, they won’t be able to give definitive answers,” he said. “But meanwhile all this uncertainty regarding the route of HS2 is causing considerable distress to my constituents some of whose property has been badly blighted by the current route of HS2.”
