MP demands a new look at HS2

Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Hints, Hopwas & Tamworth, met with local residents in Hints last Friday to update them on the latest news he has about HS2.  Over 150 local residents crowded into the village hall to listen to his update and the latest news from the village action team.

The controversial project, which will build a brand new high speed rail line running between Tamworth and Lichfield, passing near such villages as Hints and Drayton Bassett, is about to go out to public consultation.  The results of the consultation will be given to Secretary of State Philip Hammond in July.  Mr Hammond will then make a final decision on his preferred route – or whether to make changes including scrapping the entire project – before the end of the year.

Mr. Pincher told the packed meeting that he, along with other MPs like Andrea Leadsom from South Northamptonshire, are calling for a backbench debate in the House of Commons on HS2.  He has also written to Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, Louise Ellman MP, urging her to instigate an official committee inquiry into the proposals.

Mr. Pincher said:
“I have asked a number of parliamentary questions and have written to Sir Brian Briscoe of HS2 looking for answers but each answer as yet only begs more questions.  The business case for the project has not been proven by the Department for Transport.  It is full of holes.”

He also made clear that, if the rail link is eventually built (and wherever it is built) a proper plan for the best possible mitigations of its affects and the fullest possible compensation must also be agreed – and included in the business case to confirm that it still stacks up.