High Speed Rail Proposals
Staffordshire and High Speed 2
On the 10th January 2012 the Government announced| it was to proceed with a High Speed Rail line (HS2) linking London and Birmingham. The line would also provide a link north of Birmingham to the existing West Coast Main Line close to Lichfield. It is anticipated that the line will open to passengers in 2026. HS2 trains will be up to 400 metres long with 1,100 seats, travelling at speeds of up to 250mph
The Government has approved in principle further proposals (HS2 Phase 2) to extend the line north of Birmingham to serve Leeds and Manchester. Details of these routes are currently being investigated. On 27th March, the Secretarty of State for Transport announced the programme for consulting on HS2 Phase 2|.
On Monday 26th March 2012, Staffordshire County Council and Lichfield District Council jointly organised a Summit for town and parish councils and action groups. The event comprised presentations on tunnels, bridges and viaducts; noise; ecology and archaeology; cuttings and embankments. Together with additional background information, the event was aimed at assisting those who will be representing their communities at the HS2 Community Forums organised by HS2 Ltd to be held at Hints on April 4th and Armitage on 11th April 2012.
The presentations are attached below.
HS2 Summit - Introduction| (1Mb)
HS2 Summit - Environment| (1.2Mb)
HS2 Summit - Noise| (3.6Mb)
HS2 Summit - Cuttings and Embankments| (3.7Mb)
HS2 Summit - Bridges Viaducts and Tunnels| (1Mb)
Archive
Staffordshire’s Formal Consultation submitted
Staffordshire County Council has made its formal submission to Government on the HS” consultation, which closed on 29th July 2011.
All the responses received are being analysed by an independent company, who will produce a report summarising responses.
TL 25-07-11 SCCl Final Responses to Consultation Questions| (41Kb)
Staffordshire submits its views on HS2 to inquiry.
Staffordshire County Council has submitted a paper in evidence to the Transport Committee of the House of Commons for its inquiry into the Strategic Case for High Speed Rail.
TL 1 6-05-11 Select Committee Written Submission 2| (32Kb)
The submission reinforces Staffordshire County Council’s commitment to representing the interests of Staffordshire: its economy, environment and people.
Staffordshire opposes the plans for a high speed rail on the grounds that it would not deliver any economic benefits for the county, while it would have significant negative environmental impacts for local communities.
The council has also commissioned independent consultants Atkins to investigate the economic case for Staffordshire.
This report has now been finalised and supports the council’s formal submission to the Government on the High Speed 2 consultation.
HS2 in Staffordshire-Final Report| (501Kb)
County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Mike Maryon said the council was 100% committed to putting Staffordshire first.
“We have told the Transport Committee enquiry that this project will not deliver the economic benefits to Staffordshire to justify the environmental impacts on local communities. Our job is to speak up for Staffordshire.
“But the government is going to see this in terms of the greater national interest. Balancing the local and the national interest will be a tough job. But we will work throughout the consultation and beyond to get the very best outcome for Staffordshire’s economy and community,” he said.
Links to external websites
The following are external links to sites offering further information on the High Speed 2 debate.
Department of Transport - High Speed Rail|
 ||
|
|
Staffordshire County Council has no control over external websites and cannot be held responsible for their content.
-
-
-
-