Michael Fabricant has tabled an amendment to the HS2 (West Midland – Crewe) Bill which, if passed, would halt the legislation in its tracks “though with support from both the Government and the Labour Party, I expect the Bill to pass” says Michael

“So why did I bother to table the Motion? I wanted to give all the reasons why I think HS2 is so badly designed as a railway. It is far more expensive than it need be – some estimate its cost to be in excess of £75billion – and the environmental impact is appalling. Meanwhile I have farmers and homeowners desperate not only because of the rail line itself as it cuts a swathe though virgin Staffordshire countryside, but also due to the quarrying work and extra roads having to be constructed alongside the line.

“HS2 does not connect with the continent as we were originally told it would; instead you have to change stations and tramp across London along with all your luggage. It does not even connect with Heathrow Airport or Birmingham New Street Station. And by ignoring the proposals for HS2 originally proposed by Arup consulting, instead of travelling up an existing transport corridor – the M40 – minimising the environmental impact and cost, it smashes through the Lichfield constituency.”

Phase 1 starts in London and ends in Lichfield while the new Phase 2A starts in Lichfield and ends in Crewe.

The text of the ‘reasoned amendment’, as it is called, follows.