HS2 route will avoid Midlands villages, says MP

Detailed plans for the second phase of the controversial HS2 rail project will be made public within weeks, a Staffordshire Conservative MP has revealed.

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has said plans for the second phase of the line travelling to Manchester would be published in the spring.

He also said he had secured a pledge that it will not directly affect Staffordshire villages, including Armitage with Handsacre and Kings Bromley.

It follows a meeting he had with the chief engineer of HS2, Dr Andrew Mc-Naughton, and Transport Secretary Justine Greening, to highlight issues raised by the Stop HS2 Action Group.

The first phase of the project, linking London and Birmingham at a cost of £32 billion, was approved by the Government in December.

Mr Fabricant said he would also be meeting Prime Minister David Cameron within weeks to focus on a compensation scheme for those affected by HS2.

He said of the meeting with Mr McNaughton: "As far as phase two up to Manchester is concerned, he implied that the route is likely to be published in the spring.

"He said it will not directly affect towns like Armitage with Handsacre or Kings Bromley which I know will be of considerable relief to residents."