Consultation for High Speed Rail starts

The public consultation on the proposed High Speed Rail from Birmingham to London has begun. 

It is one of the biggest public consultations ever undertaken, and will cover the Government's proposed strategy for a wider network linking the West Midlands, London, Manchester and Leeds, and the proposals for a route from Birmingham to London.

The Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond says it would bring £44bn of benefits and would cut 30 minutes off the journey between London and Birmingham. In addition he thinks reducing the capacity on existing lines such as the West Coast Main Line would offer the possibility of more frequent, fast commuter services from places such as Coventry.

The consultation will run until 29 July, and there will be roadshows in towns and villages along the proposed route in the West Midlands.

The roadshows will give local people an opportunity to read the evidence underlying the proposals and a wide range of material explaining the project including a number of factsheets.  There will be experts for people to talk to, such as engineers, environmentalists and property specialists from HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport, who can explain the proposals in detail and the potential effects on the local area.

Sir Brian Briscoe, Chairman of HS2 Ltd, said:

“Our work has shown that there is a real need for HS2 to relieve the ever worsening problems of over crowding on the rail system, and for the economic boost it would bring to the regions and businesses of this country.

“But we want to do everything we can to minimise the potential impacts of HS2, so I would encourage everyone who has an interest in the proposals to come to our roadshows and talk to us.  This is your opportunity to voice your concerns and find out more about the Government’s proposals, and have all the information you need to respond to the consultation.”

The roadshows will be at:

 
Washwood Heath - Mobile Exhibition
 23 May
 Hodge Hill Constituency Office Car Park, Ward End Park House, Washwood Heath Rd, Ward End, Birmingham, B8 2HB
  
Ladbroke - Mobile Exhibition
 2 June
 Bell Inn Car Park, Banbury Road, Ladbroke, Warks, CV47 2BY
 
Southam - Exhibition
 3-4 June
 Graham Adams Centre, St James Road, Southam, Warks, CV47 0LY
 
Cubbington - Mobile Exhibition
 6 June
 Cubbington Sports and Social Club Car Park, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa, Warks, CV32 7LN
 
Balsall Common - Mobile Exhibition
 7 June
 Jubilee Centre Car Park, off Station Road, Balsall Common, Solihull, CV7 7FE
 
Lichfield - Exhibition
 8-9 June
 Lichfield Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 6LX
 
Burton Green - Mobile Exhibition
 10 June
 Village Hall Car Park, Hodgetts Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth, CV8 1PH
 
Water Orton - Exhibition
 11 June
 The Link, 4 New Road, Water Orton, Birmingham, B46 1QU
 
Kenilworth - Exhibition
 13-14 June
 Holiday Inn, 212 Abbey End, Kenilworth, Warks, CV8 1ED
 
Hampton in Arden - Mobile Exhibition
 15 June
 Sports Centre Car Park, Shadowbrook Road, Hampton in Arden, Solihull, B32 0DQ
 
Birmingham - Exhibition
 17-18 June
 Waterhall (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery), Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH