With the Government approving works to commence on the West Coast Main Line
upgrade, Michael Fabricant raised the question of disturbance to the lives
of people living in Armitage, Handsacre, and Lichfield with the Secretary of
State for Transport, Alistair Darling, in the Commons Chamber yesterday (1st
April). Michael Fabricant says "While I support the principle of the West
Coast Main Line rail upgrade, I want to ensure that disruption to the lives
of my constituents during the construction period is minimised. In
particular, the rail route through Lichfield and Armitage and Handsacre is
being widened and 4 tracks are being laid instead of the existing two. This
will particularly affect residents in Armitage where the line goes through
the middle of the town. I supported an alternative route north of Armitage,
but this was rejected by the Government. We must now ensure that
construction noise, vibration, and dirt is minimised while the work is
undertaken".

Taken from Hansard, Michael Fabricant said to the Secretary of State for
Transport:-

"The Secretary of State will be aware that two lines of track that run
through my constituency are to be increased to four lines of track. The
construction period will affect 320 homes in Armitage and Handsacre and 150
homes in Lichfield. During that period, what sort of recourse do my
constituents have if they wish to complain? How can they improve conditions
if the noise becomes too great or if a 14-week construction period is
extended to 28 weeks or 30 weeks? What hope can the Secretary of State give
them that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel?"

Alistair Darling replied:- "He raises a perfectly reasonably point. The
Strategic Rail Authority and those responsible will make every effort to
ensure that the work is carried out as expeditiously as possible. No doubt
if the hon. Gentleman’s constituents are aggrieved they will come first to
him and he can then approach the Department with any difficulties that he
may have. In relation to specific measures, it might be better if I write to
him, as he knows exactly what the position is."

Michael Fabricant agrees. "When the work begins, complaints should be made
initially to the construction company. They will give contact names and
addresses before the work begins. But if a problem is not resolved after
speaking to the construction firm, constituents should then write to me at
the House of Commons in London and I will take the matter up with the
construction company concerned, the Strategic Rail Authority, or the
Department of Transport. I hope then the matter can be resolved and
disruption to people’s lives during the construction period can be
minimised."