Following private discussions with the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, Michael Fabricant tackled him in the Chamber today (Thursday 19th May) and called for an additional station to link the Lichfield Trent Valley to Redditch Cross-City Line with HS2 at Curzon Street.

Michael says: “Although it will always be quicker and more convenient for my constituents to travel to London direct from Lichfield Trent Valley, there could be huge advantages to a link with Curzon Street in the years to come.

“The present unconnected design of HS2 is a nonsense. But if eventually HS2 links directly with the continent, and to Heathrow Airport and Scotland and the north, a co-station with Curzon Street makes huge sense given that the cross-city line passes alongside the HS2 station.

“And there are shorter term advantages too. Birmingham City University and the area around Millennium Point are growing in importance to Lichfield and a direct link from Lichfield as well as from other stations up to and including Redditch makes good sense for the future.”

This is what Michael said in the Chamber today:

Michael Fabricant: My right hon. Friend mentioned Curzon Street, and given that I fear that HS2 will go ahead, may I put down a marker? He will know that there is a cross-city line from Lichfield Trent Valley to Redditch. If HS2 eventually links up directly with the continent and does not go via St Pancras, it would be hugely advantageous if there were a halt at Curzon Street on the cross-city line, because that rail line runs immediately adjacent to the HS2 terminus.

Mr McLoughlin: Although my hon. Friend was against HS2, I am pleased that he is already thinking about how it can benefit his area and region. I join him in his partial conversion, and I will take that as a helpful intervention.

Michael adds “I will continue to pursue this option with the Government in the months and years to come.”