HS2
The Department for Transport has announced today plans to press forward with its proposal for a new high speed rail (HS2) link between London and the West Midlands. The high speed rail concept has cross party support with the last Labour government tabling the original proposals and claiming credit for the route.
I am disappointed with the detail of the announcement made today because, despite HS2’s own admission that considerable attention was given to communities around Hints, Weeford and Drayton Bassett during the consultation process, no meaningful change is proposed to mitigate the impact of the line around Tamworth. The detailed documentation still falls short of many of my direct questions about the need for local mitigations. We need to ensure that the next stage of review sees the best mitigations are included. Moreover, I want to see much more detail on the compensation arrangements the Department will put in place to redress the problem of planning blight. I am relieved that they at least recognise there is a wider problem than those residents and businesses that have property immediately on the route, but I want to know more about how the proposed “refreshed hardship scheme” will work. It cannot be right that people are financially penalised for simply living in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I will continue to represent my constituents’ concerns in parliament and will fight for the best possible outcome for them in terms of mitigation and compensation. And I will continue to question the business case which underpins the entire HS2 proposal.
I have regularly corresponded with many constituents and advocacy groups concerned about these plans and the impact they will have on our community. I do not believe the business case presented by HS2 stacks up and feel that other less intrusive alternatives must still be explored. Should any reader like to be added to my HS2 mailing list, please email me directly at christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
I welcome constituents’ views on HS2 and will continue to raise these concerns with ministers. Due to the volume of letters I am currently receiving on this topic, an immediate response may not be possible so do please be patient.
Please be aware that I endeavour to respond to correspondence within 10 working days and letters are addressed in the order that they are received.
Should you wish to contact me about HS2, please either email Christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk or post a letter to my Westminster office at the following address:
Christopher Pincher MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Media & Press Releases
Click here for a recent news announcement on HS2
Press Release 22/11/11 – Pincher Raises New Concerns with Transport Secretary
Press Release 14/11/11 – Pincher Questions Chair of the Transport Select Committee about HS2
Press Release 16/9/11 – Christopher Pincher Announces Commons Debate on HS2
Press Release 2/2/11 – MP Demands a new look at HS2
Access the below links to view what Christopher Pincher has done in Parliament on HS2:
Click here to access the transcript of Christopher Pincher’s speech from the Westminster Hall debate on HS2 from the 31st of March, 2011.
View Christopher’s contribution to the HS2 consultation here.
High Speed 2: Finance [10 February 2011]
High Speed 2: Staffordshire [4 February 2011]
High Speed Trains: Property [1 February 2011]
High Speed Trains: Staffordshire [1 November 2010]
High Speed Trains: West Coast Main Line [31 January 2011]
High Speed Trains: West Midlands [31 January 2011]
Resources
The Department for Transport High Speed Rail Web site
Written Ministerial Statement from the Secretary of State for Transport, 10th January 2012
