Lichfield Council in objection to plan for HS2 network

Another West Midlands council has stated its objections to the controversial HS2 rail network.

Lichfield District Council formally announced its opposition to the £30 billion scheme which will cut rail times between London and Birmingham to 49 minutes.

The cabinet says that based on documentation published by the Government and the feedback from the ongoing consultation, the authority has objections to both the HS2 and the principle of a dedicated high-speed rail network.

The council will now formally let the Government and the Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, know its response before the consultation exercise ends on July 29.

Objections raised by the council predominantly focus on the fact that the HS2 will bring no benefit to the district even though trains will pass close to the city.

In a cabinet report, the council says: "In particular the council was of the view that in respect of High Speed 2 there would be of no benefit to the district."