Michael Fabricant has today lodged a formal objection with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions against the widening of the West Coast Main Line (to allow 4 tracks instead of the present 2) between Lichfield and Armitage.

“Railtrack’s own environmental statement admits that 60 properties will experience a ‘significant increase in average daily noise levels’ while 14 properties in Armitage and 86 in Handsacre will experience a low increase in vibration.” says Michael Fabricant. “This is not acceptable. The track widening should be reinvestigated to see whether it can be undertaken in open country rather than near to existing homes. The matter is now in the hands of John Prescott who should commence an independent investigation”. Michael Fabricant will be meeting anxious residents of Armitage at the Village Hall, Shropshire Brook Road, Armitage at 10am on Saturday 1st April.