Birmingham to London High Speed Rail opponents vow to continue fight

Dec 20 2010 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail

Opponents of a planned high speed rail line between London and Birmingham have vowed to continue their fight despite a series of changes to the planned route.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today announced a series of changes designed to reduce the impact of the 250mph trains on residents living along the route.

They include lowering the line and moving it further away from the village of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire; lowering the line near Burton Green, Warwickshire, and moving it further away from Lichfield, Staffordshire.

But the Government faces opposition from politicians in all parties to the proposals. MP Jim Cunningham (Lab Coventry South) told him: “His comments will be little comfort to people in Warwickshire”.

Conservative MPs including Dan Byles (Con North Warwickshire) and Michael Fabricant (Con Lichfield) have warned they are not convinced high speed rail lines are needed at all.

But Centro, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, urged the Government to continue supporting high speed rail.