Walk HS2 route through Shropshire village, bosses urged
Residents have invited council officials to walk the route HS2 construction traffic could be using if plans go-head.
Woore Action Group invited Shropshire Council members to walk the HS2 construction traffic route on foot today to understand the impact.
The current chosen route would see the majority of construction HGVs travelling from the A51 and turning on to the A525 at Woore, near Market Drayton.
Residents and councillors have recently formed Woore Action Group to fight the plans.
Resident, David Tyson, has been nominated chairman of the action group.
He said: "Last month, HS2 announced their intention to send more than 500 lorries per day through this village, despite admitting that Woore is nominated a “non-preferred” route.
"In addition to continuous movement from lorries conveying construction equipment, 550 wagons per day may also disturb the village after peak hours and the A51 and A525 roads could be closed periodically.
"HS2’s decisions have provoked uproar amongst Woore parishioners.
"Multiple concerns have been raised about the volume of traffic, noise and air pollution and the overall detrimental impact upon our residents and business owners.”
The group have formed an action plan which includes health and safety measures being checked and validated. Also the group want to install traffic and air pollution measuring systems.
They also want the footpath widths and safety crossings checked as currently residents in Pipe Gate have to currently cross the A51 three times in order to reach the village centre.
Woore Parish councillor, Gaynor Irwin, added: "We have structured a working party, harnessing local expertise, energy and skill sets to steer a collective protest efficiently and within the critical time frame.
"Working collaboratively, we aim to research, interrogate and dispute HS2’s justifications for selecting Woore as a transport route, and we will deliver a robust and viable alternative proposition.”
Mike Cowey, vice chairman of Woore Parish Council, said: “HS2 proposes to send one lorry per minute directly through the heart of our village, six days per week.
“The overwhelming reaction from our parish has been of shock, horror and anger.
“Woore Parish Council have strenuously objected to any disruptions made by HS2.
“We are therefore leading an active campaign with local residents in order to make our opinions known, to reject these current plans and to submit an alternative proposal for HS2 and Government consideration.
“To this end, the parish council is encouraging all households to attend locally held information events, organised by HS2.
“We have also created an individual “HS2” information page on the Woore Parish Council website for ease of communication.
“Most importantly, an integrated councillor/resident working party is being formed to collate research and feedback from residents, so that we can construct and submit a robust and viable alternative proposal within the required timeframe.”
