HS2: Reindeers to visit parliament with their home under threat
The owner of a Staffordshire family attraction is taking his protest against HS2 all the way to Parliament - along with two reindeer.
Stephen Swinnerton, from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge in Rugeley, says the pair - Alfie and George - will be at Parliament Square in the first week of December.
Mr Swinnerton says the high speed rail line would take up five acres of the farm and result in it closing down.
He also claims the lodge's reindeer could be put down, including Alfie and George.
Mr Swinnerton is to appear before a Select Committee to provide evidence on the impact of HS2.
He said: "I have been running this farm for a long time, spending my time building the reindeer herd for the enjoyment of people near and far from here.
"We have the largest reindeer herd outside Scandinavia.
"The HS2 will take land from the farm which would make it impossible for us to stay here, and re-locating is not an option."
Mr Swinnerton wrote a letter to Theresa May, along with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and other MPs, to protest against HS2 in July.
But he says he has received no response yet from HS2.
He has the backing of Ukip MEP for the West Midlands, Jill Seymour.
Tomorrow, Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant is to visit him over the issue.
Under Government documents detailing the impact of the line, it states two and a half acres would be required, around 10 per cent of the farm.
On the impact, the document said: "Moderate adverse due to the proportion of the farm required and disruption during construction."
The farmland is needed for a turning head for the line, highway drainage and a new access road to a nearby cottage.
An HS2 spokesman said: “HS2 will rebalance the economy by connecting eight out of our 10 biggest cities, increase rail capacity on the current system and reduce journey times, while also creating thousands of jobs across the UK.
“We recognise that people will be concerned about the impacts of construction, and we continue to engage with people and businesses to look at the how we minimise impacts as we progress to the next stage of design.
"We have met with representatives from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge to look at the impacts on their business and to discuss the possible solutions.”
A petition launched by Mr Swinnerton calling for a change in plan for the line. It has 628 signatures.
He will take the reindeer to the Houses of Parliament in a trailer. Pamphlets will be handed out during the day-long event.
