Fears HS2 will not link with West Coast Mainline

A report by the Chairman of HS2 Ltd, Sir David Higgins, raised the prospect that the link between HS2 Phase One onto the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre, near Lichfield, may be abandoned to save money.

Stafford Borough Council has revealed it will petition the Government for the link to be kept in the plans.

Regeneration chief Councillor Frances Beatty said: "The absence of the Handsacre link would have a profound impact on the services running from Stafford to London and elsewhere, as it would prevent access of 'classic compatible' trains from the West Coast Main Line onto the high speed line, and vice versa.

"The Higgins report goes on to say that more work needs to be done on integrating HS2 into the existing rail network and potential improvements to it. HS2 should also be fully integrated into the plans that local authorities across the north are making to regenerate their particular economies and communities.

"On this basis, providing and retaining the Handsacre link would make eminent sense, both in terms of maximising the economic benefit of HS2 and in operational terms.

"To protect our position, we need to petition for retention of the Handsacre link."

The issue was set to be discussed by cabinet members tonight (Thur).

Council bosses have drafted a statement to be sent to HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and local MPs.

It comes after Staffordshire County Council has already agreed to spend around £200,000 fighting HS2 through Parliament.

In total, 1,925 petitions have been received by the House of Commons with campaigners saying it will take at least two years for MPs on the HS2 Select Committee to examine the detail alone before Parliament has to vote on the project again.

High-profile petitioners include the Church of England, Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Lord Rothschild, who both own land along the route.

HS2 is set to cut a 45-mile swathe through Staffordshire. Phase one of HS2 from London to the Midlands will go through the city of Lichfield and surrounding villages. Phase two goes through Stafford and surrounding villages, including the Marston and Ingestre. In total, 27 wildlife sites in Staffordshire will be directly affected as part of the rail plans.