Janice R. Andrews
Significantly, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, announced that planning protection along the abandoned HS2 route between Crewe and Birmingham would no longer be in place. This means that anyone can now apply to build on the previously designated area. Residents in the impacted areas now feel more “certainty” as a result of the rules that required authorities to confer with the company building the HS2 line on any planning applications.
The safeguarding restrictions—planning mechanisms meant to shelter land from conflicting development—were removed in response to the government’s decision to scrap the northern leg of the HS2 line, which was completed in October. Harper stated that land surrounding the proposed Handsacre Junction, near Lichfield, Staffordshire, would remain protected because it is scheduled to act as a junction for HS2 trains that are bound for Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, even though the majority of the abandoned line is no longer subject to these restrictions.
Some locals have reported problems like as squatters and cannabis manufacturers, and concerns have been expressed regarding properties that were bought for the HS2 project but are now unnecessary. Harper promised to reveal information regarding the whereabouts of these properties shortly.
The Transport Secretary also declared the termination of three compensation programmes for HS2-affected homes, with the exception of the “Need to Sell” programme, which will continue to operate until the blight caused by HS2 has completely subsided.
In a related move, Harper reports that protection for land set aside for the HS2 route between Crewe and Manchester is being lifted. This work is anticipated to be finished by summer.
In the meantime, Staffordshire’s Conservative MPs Jack Brereton and Sir Gavin Williamson urged the government to use the money saved by abandoning the second phase of HS2 for critical county transport initiatives. Prior to this, the Prime Minister had pledged £36 billion to alternative bus, road, and rail projects, with Staffordshire slated to gain. The request for priorities highlighted projects such as the construction of a new railway station in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, and enhanced local connections to the northwest.
The government is actively pursuing a number of programmes, including those that were announced in October, according to Rail Minister Huw Merriman, demonstrating their commitment to the growth of alternative transportation projects in the area.
