Villagers are urged to speak out on HS2
Residents in a Shropshire village are being urged to have their say on HS2, as a neighbourhood plan begins its final stage of public consultation.
Woore's neighbourhood plan has been published in its final draft and this week Shropshire Council's consultation on the village's future direction opened.
One of the most talked-about issues in Woore is HS2. The organisers behind the high speed rail project have said that their best infrastructure option is for vehicles to travel through the village to deliver construction materials.
Campaigners in Woore are still fighting against that decision, and are adamant that any modifications made to the road network to accommodate an influx of HGVs are strictly temporary.
Some of the other issues mentioned in the plan include protecting green spaces and the rights of way network, and supporting any necessary refurbishment to council buildings. The consultation is open until July 24.
In its current form, the plan says on HS2: "Whilst recognising that HS2 is a national strategic matter that the neighbourhood plan cannot influence, the community are keen to ensure that any changes as a result of the construction works do not become permanent, but that after work has been completed are returned to their original condition in order to retain the local rural character of Woore.
"The issue of HS2 and the effect of the resultant traffic and highway modifications during construction is one of the major concerns of Woore Parish residents, and one which has been raised at all consultations regarding the Neighbourhood Plan.
"While the HS2 route does not pass directly through the parish, it is proposed that the routes for vehicular access during the construction of HS2 will pass directly through Woore.
"This will not only lead to far more traffic and HGV vehicles passing through daily, but it is also proposed that there will be temporary changes to the road network."
To have your say on the neighbourhood plan, visit shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/woore-neighbourhood-plan and to see the document drop in to the Country Store in Woore, or the Shirehall in Shrewsbury.
Stephen Clifford, vice chairman of the Woore Parish Neighbourhood Planning Team, said: "Subject to comments received, an independent examiner will be appointed by Shropshire Council, in collaboration with the team.
"Subject again to any comments he or she may make, we should then be able, as planned, to proceed to a public vote, by parishioners on the electoral roll, in the autumn of 2018."
