Council leader's HS2 compensation pledge
The leader of Staffordshire County Council has pledged to secure compensation for those affected by HS2 after the line was backed by Boris Johnson.
Philip Atkins also said scrapping the proposed Handsacre Link, which would allow HS2 trains to travel on the existing rail network, would be unacceptable.
The Oakervee Report has suggested the link could be removed but fears in Staffordshire have been eased after the Prime Minister gave it his personal backing.
Councillor Atkins said: “HS2 will cut through 45 miles of Staffordshire and from the outset we have championed the cause of our county and our communities in terms of securing meaningful mitigation and compensation.
“We have also made it clear that Staffordshire must share in the economic benefits and improved connectivity by securing the Handsacre Link as part of Phase One, which will allow both Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to access HS2 compatible trains as well as improving connectivity to the north and south.
“Any proposal to discontinue the planned link would be unacceptable, so I am pleased that the Prime Minister has given his personal backing to Handsacre.
“With confirmation the high speed rail scheme will now go ahead our priority remains to get the best deal on HS2 and we will be working closely with the newly appointed full time dedicated HS2 Minister to ensure that the Government and HS2 Ltd deliver on their promises to Staffordshire."
