High Speed Rail (HS2)

In December 2010 the Government confirmed its detailed preferred route for a High Speed Rail between London Euston and Birmingham and confirmed that it would be proposing a Y shaped route to Manchester and Leeds. Click for Link

The proposed route has significant implications for rural Warwickshire and also for parts of Staffordshire up to Lichfield. Extending High Speed Rail would have further significant implications for Staffordshire.

West Midlands CPRE issued a press release raising concerns about the impact on the countryside and the extent to which all the realistic alternative had been assessed. A further press release has also been issued. The latest press release is dated 3rd June 2011.

This built on CPRE’s five national tests for High Speed Rail and our immediate concerns for the region which are:

1. The impact on the countryside of Warwickshire and Staffordshire
2. Importance of a Birmingham city centre station to support urban regeneration
3. Assurances that money will not be diverted from local rail investment in the region 
4. Support for public transport investment to ensure economic benefits in areas of regeneration such as the Black Country
5. Impact of any new Parkway station, which could lead to increased congestion on local roads and new pressure for greenfield development 
6. Ensuring cities like Wolverhampton and Coventry don't lose inter-city services 

Although there have been some detailed changes from earlier route proposals this largely follows the proposals of the previous Government.

A consultation period was launched in February which will run until 29 July 2011. CPRE will respond to that consultation and has signed a Charter with other environmental organisation called: ‘The Right Lines – Charter for High Speed Rail’ raising concerns about the current proposals. (link)

CPRE West Midlands has also issued a leaflet setting out regional concerns about the proposal. Click here to read this leaflet (Word) which will inform our national response.

06.04.11