Lords to debate proposed consultation with Shropshire residents over HS2

Shadow transport minister Lord Rosser, who earlier this month accused the government of “failing” the county over the multi-billion pound project, today called for people living in areas which will be impacted by the construction to be consulted about rail provision in their localities.

A proposed amendment to the HS2 (West Midlands-Crewe) Bill, tabled by Lord Rosser, will be debated in the Lords on Monday and also says the consultation should ask about the impact of the work on road transport and the environment.

If voted through, the government would have to present a report on the consultation, which would also take in the views of residents of Staffordshire and Cheshire, by May 2021 and detail any steps which will be taken to implement its findings.

The consultation will ask whether there are sufficient transport provisions to allow passengers living near the new line to benefit from it, and “address any changes to general passenger movements caused by the works”.

It will also establish “whether the construction of new railway stations and improvements to railway stations, including any associated reopening of lines, is necessary”.

Lord Rosser said: “Whenever I speak to people from Shropshire, they often talk about how their county is always being promised investment which is just not delivered.

Needs

“That’s why I tabled an amendment to the HS2 Bill in the House of Lords this week, calling on ministers to take a proper look at Shropshire’s transport needs.

“The HS2 line is being built right along the county’s border, but they haven’t given any thought to the need for better local transport in the county itself.

“Across the whole of England, public money is being wasted while promised investment is not being delivered.

“If you look at the Conservative-run council in Shropshire, £1,000 a day is spent on pothole consultants, but the roads remain a state and the national road maintenance backlog is over £10 billion.

“The government has long said it would sort out the A5 and local bus services but when’s the actual work going to start? Lots of promises but no delivery.

“Unless the government can properly explain how they will start delivering on their promises and stop wasting public money, Labour will be putting this amendment to a vote on Monday.

“They must take a proper look at Shropshire’s transport needs.”