With the start of 4-tracking of the railway line through Armitage,
Handsacre, and Fisherwick near Whittington, Michael Fabricant has
called a public meeting which will be attended by representatives from
Network Rail, the County Highways Department, County Councillor Frank
Lewis, and other local councillors. The meeting will be held in
Armitage Village Hall on Saturday 15th January starting at 10am and will
be open to all residents who will be affected by the works which will
commence early in 2005 and which will last until 2008.

"Whether we like it or not, these works are now going ahead and the
point of this meeting is to ensure that the disruption to the lives of
my constituents will be minimised" says Michael Fabricant. "I have
invited Network Rail, and Staffordshire Highways so that the planned
works can be explained in detail and how they will affect the lives of
local residents. There also needs to be a clear understanding of where
complaints can be lodged and how problems will be dealt with.

"From time to time, roads may be blocked, gardens or even buildings may
be slightly damaged. These issues need to be remedied instantly and the
purpose of the meeting is to reassure residents that the systems will be
in place to ensure that this will indeed happen. The phased progress of
the works over the next few years will be explained and there will also
be an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the rail works
from the people who will be running them. I am expecting a constructive
and informative meeting" Michael adds.