Villagers voice anger over HS2 line as compensation packages launched

Residents and business owners are being given the chance to have their say on the plans.

The track, which will open six years ahead of schedule in 2027, will link Crewe with Birmingham running through Staffordshire countryside from Fradley to Swynnerton, passing Kings Bromley, Blithbury, Colton, Stockwell Heath, Great Haywood, Ingestre, Hopton, Marston and Yarlet.

It will cross the river Trent at Pipe Ridware, the Trent and Mersey Canal at Great Haywood, and the M6 near Swynnerton.

While Stafford railway station will be connected to the high-speed network via a link to the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre.

A consultation event for property owners set to be affected by work was held at Kings Bromley Village Hall, with residents coming out to look at and discuss the plans.

Dennis Willbond, an engineer from Hill Ridware, said: "The racket we are going to have to deal with, a train every three minutes at peak time is ridiculous.

"My garden will be almost overlooking a maintenance loop, meaning that work to repair trains will keep me up at night and the trains will be making noise in the day.

"I have written to three different ministers for transport since the plans were announced to voice my opposal.

"I just don't think there is any need to build this, why spend all of this money and cause all of this trouble just to save a few thousand business men a bit of time on their commute.

"Some people ask why myself and others continue to oppose this, I think people need to stand up and let those in charge know we don't want this.

"Some people aren't even aware of what effect this will have on their lives."

Paul Quance from Great Barr-based Coleman Regeneration, which specialises in transforming brownfield sites for future development, was also among those who attended the consultation event.

He said the firm was keen to find out more about the route to ensure they would not be affected when purchasing sites as well as looking at securing future contracts.

"I wanted to see the route and what areas would be affected as well as the possible opportunities for development near the stations through the re-location of businesses. Everyone was very helpful and polite and the website" the regeneration manager said.

Further events are taking place at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre in the town centre on Wednesday between midday and 8pm.

They will also be held on Wednesday January 20 at and Colwich and Little Haywood Village Hall, near Rugeley, between midday and 8pm on Friday, January 22 and Whitmore Village Hall, Stoke, between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, January 23.

HS2 Ltd spokesman Alastair Cowan said: "These events are for people to ask any questions they have and to see the compensation packages and respond."