Wednesday 2 August 2017

HS2 VIADUCT A TRULY ICONIC STRUCTURE OR WILL IT DESTROY THE TOWN

The government have confirmed that Toton will be the East Midlands Hub and that the line will pass through Long Eaton on a 16mtre high viaduct. Although most of the route and the choice of Toton was announced in November 2016 the details of how it would pass through Long Eaton were not announced until last Monday (17th July).
Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, who favoured the tunnel option said, “A high level viaduct gives us a fantastic opportunity to create a truly iconic structure.” 
However Ben Timberley of the Stop HS2 Erewash Group said, “This viaduct will do lots of damage and destroy the town. Cutting it in half is probably one of the most idiotic suggestions you could make for economic recovery.”
Erewash Green Party coordinator and recent Parliamentary candidate Ralph Hierons said; ‘The response from all our local politicians on HS2 has been shambolic from the off. Derbyshire County council have been silent as have Erewash Borough Council. With the Labour Party repeatedly proclaiming their continued support for HS2 in Parliament on Monday night, the vested interests of the project seem to have both the main parties wrapped round their finger, nobody is speaking up for the people this will impact on.’

On Tuesday 18th July 2017 Maggie Throup has gained a personal assurance from the Secretary of State for Transport that no Erewash resident affected by HS2 will be left out of pocket as a result of the major national infrastructure project. Following a late night statement to the House of Commons in which the Secretary of State confirmed that Phase 2b of HS2 will run through parts of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate along a high-level viaduct, Maggie asked:
“Although I welcome the clarity that today’s announcement brings to residents of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate in my constituency, and the extension of the rural zone to the south of Long Eaton, some of my constituents who have lived in their homes for 40 years or more are being offered only two thirds of the value of their homes and cannot afford to buy another home. As HS2 will be of great benefit to the whole nation, does my right hon. Friend agree that nobody should be worse off as a result of it?”
To which the Transport Secretary replied:
“I do agree, and I am very grateful to my hon. Friend and to the people of Long Eaton; as she knows, we have had a long discussion about whether we should have a high-level embankment or a low-level one, and I hope the solution we have reached is one that her community will support. I am clear that I do not want people to lose out as a result of this, and I extend to the House the request that Members should come to tell me if there are any places where there is a danger of that happening.”
After the statement Maggie added:
“I understand that HS2 splits opinion in our area, with some residents wanting the project to be dropped completely. However we have to accept that HS2 is going ahead, and it is my job as the Member of Parliament to fight for the best possible deal from HS2 Ltd for local residents who are affected by the line of route in Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate.
“I am pleased therefore, that the Transport Secretary has given his personal assurance on public record that he does not want people to lose out as a result of this vital national infrastructure project.
“Ministers also need to address the appalling way in which HS2 Ltd has treated residents up to now, otherwise they risk undermining the project altogether.”

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