“I have received a number of queries from constituents asking whether the route of HS2 has been changed with it passing over the A38 on a viaduct which will be visible for miles” says Michael Fabricant.

“I think this confusion has arisen because of an interesting video doing the rounds, produced by HS2, showing a birds eye view of Staffordshire along the the line of the route.  As it passes by Lichfield, you can clearly see it travelling over the A38 at a considerable height.

“I was sufficiently concerned that I raised the issue with Andrew Stephenson the Transport Minister and with Mark Thurston, the Chief Executive of HS2 Limited.  Both have confirmed that the line will travel under the A38 immediately east of Streethay.”

Mark Thurston says  “The alignment of the new railway is unchanged from when Parliament passed the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act in 2017. The railway will pass under the A38 immediately to the east of Streethay housing, at the point where the slip roads to/from Burton Road meet the dual carriageway. With regards to the works, the railway will go underneath the A38 in phases, with temporary traffic management on the A38 being altered appropriately as these works progress. Utility diversions are planned as part of these works.”

Michael adds: “The first route for HS2 would have had it further west clipping Boley Park housing.  I then managed to persuade HS2 to move it east away from Boley Park, but that then required an elevated viaduct for the railway.  Following numerous complaints and a visit by the Parliamentary team to Lichfield examining the route, we managed to persuade the House of Commons Committee to change the law so that the railway would go under the A38 and be in cuttings less visible from Lichfield and the surrounding area. I am pleased that was achieved though I voted against HS2 in Parliament.

“It turns out that the video currently in circulation was produced before these changes were enacted.”