HS2 link is a white elephant, says UKIP deputy leader at talk in Stafford
Money being spent on the controversial HS2 should be used to improve regional transport network instead, a public meeting was told.
More than 100 people gathered in Stafford for the UKIP event which saw the deputy leader Paul Nuttall as guest speaker.
Despite arriving more than an hour late because of travel problems he spoke about a range of national issues at Tillington Hall Hotel. But he also highlighted the high speed rail link, which the believes will cost up to £100billion, and is set to cut a 45-mile swathe through Staffordshire countryside.
Mr Nuttall said: "HS2 is a white elephant. The reason this white elephant is being built isn't for the benefit of people in Stafford, Stoke, Liverpool or even Manchester. It is being built for London and that is the simple fact. We would prefer to spend that £100 billion updating our local transport network for the benefit of local people."
Nuttall also spoke about the party's stance on issues ranging from the deployment of soldiers and level of expenditure on foreign aid. Trevor Forrester, of Staffordshire Against HS2, also told the meeting: "There is a lot of issues with HS2 , we know. It is a high speed disaster, we know it is a great white elephant so we have got to stop this thing right in its tracks.
"This thing is going through at almost the sound of concorde.
"The compensation package is next to nothing if you are too far away." Speeches were also given by UKIP's Jill Seymour and Bill Etheridge.
Ms Seymour spoke of the need to maintain services at Stafford Hospital with a 24 hour, seven days a week A&E department.
The HS2 debate comes after council chiefs vowed to keep fighting the project after a new compensation scheme for residents was announced. HS2 Ltd say residents affected by the high speed train proposals will get a 'fair deal', and has also announced details of a Residents' Charter, together with the appointment of an Independent Residents Commissioner to support people living along phase one of the route.
If approved, phase one of HS2 will run from London to the West Midlands, with the second phase going on to Manchester and Leeds – in total cutting through 45 miles of Staffordshire countryside.
Phase two of HS2 goes through Stafford and surrounding villages, including the village of Marston. In total, 27 wildlife sites will be directly affected as part of the rail plans.
