HS2 is 'not necessarily a done deal', says city's MP

JUSTINE Greening described HS2 this week as "the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways".

The Transport Secretary also said HS2 is "following in the footsteps of the 19th century railway pioneers".

It is perhaps something of a change in attitude for the MP, who led a campaign against a third runway for Heathrow in her own constituency.

HS2 is widely believed to be a replacement for that plan, which has been scrapped.

This week, Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant met Ms Greening for a preliminary discussion on how best to mitigate the effects of the line.

"She made it clear to me that there is a long way to go yet before any construction commences, but minor changes to the route are still possible and she will do all in her power to minimise the visual and acoustic impact of the line as it passes through the district," the MP said, speaking exclusively to the Mercury.

"We discussed a number of possibilities, including the use of earth embankments to hide most of the elevated area of the tracks so that all that might be visible would be a grassy or wooded banks.

"But of course I realise that many of my constituents will be extremely disappointed. They will be particularly concerned that the Government has rejected options for enhancing existing rail routes.

"They will also be concerned, as am I, that the Government hasn't re-examined alternative routes using existing transport corridors. I have told the Prime Minister and both Justine Greening and Philip Hammond that routing HS2 through virgin countryside is highly undesirable.

"However, the political reality is that with David Cameron, Ed Miliband, and Nick Clegg all enthusiastically backing HS2, and with only 20 or so MPs – out of 650 – bothering to turn up to state any objections to HS2 with Justine Greening at a recent meeting, it is clear that Parliament currently has an overwhelming and fixed view in favour of HS2."

Mr Fabricant said he will soon meet with local campaigners and plans to "work closely with them".

"I now see my immediate role as two-fold," he added.

"Firstly, to assist individuals and organisations in the constituency effect further local route changes where it will help; and secondly, to maximise the compensation available to those affected along the route. I know that if HS2 does go ahead, the Government plans to offer a very generous compensation scheme.

"I will be fighting hard to maximise compensation available to constituents affected along the route, and also endeavour to ensure that the Government is not restrictive in determining who is entitled to compensation based on the distance from the line.

"This isn't to say that people miles from the line can claim compensation, but there will be a point, inevitably, where the Government might argue that a householder is not affected by the route, whereas he or she might well be."

But the MP said HS2 is "not necessarily a done deal" on three counts.

"Firstly, I understand that a number of national anti-HS2 campaigners plan to bring the Government to court over the manner in which the inquiry into HS2 was conducted last year," said Mr Fabricant.

"Secondly, the legislation required in Parliament is fraught with difficulty as the relevant committee may decide the route is fundamentally wrong. Finally, any further downturn in the economy could cause a delay or complete cancellation of the entire project."