‘We’re just a number to them, we’re not human’
He said: “It is the uncertainty for these homeowners that is the issue here. The lack of a decision on when construction will start, and when these families will have to move out, is not a way in which people can live.
“They cannot live with a sword hanging over their head, waiting for it to drop. The legislation has not been put through Parliament yet so there is no end to the uncertainty for these people.
“I have to ask, do they care about the community that they are going to be affecting? This isn’t the way to treat local communities.”
Councillor Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council and a cabinet member for Derbyshire County Council, said: “Firstly, let me say that our concerns are with all those most affected by HS2 Ltd’s proposals in Long Eaton and will try to ensure that local people are dealt with fairly.
“Erewash Borough Council has worked tirelessly, and will continue to do so, to ensure that we maximise the economic generation opportunities arising from HS2 and to get the best possible outcome for residents and businesses.
“There is no doubt that there is likely to be considerable disruption when such a major project is underway, particularly in the pre-construction and construction phases.
“A number of concerns have been raised within the HS2 report and the council will take time to address each of these issues in turn and develop plans to lessen the impact on those residents and businesses most affected.”
Stop HS2 campaign manager Joe Rukin said: “With costs everywhere else along the HS2 route spiralling out of control, it is absolutely clear HS2 Ltd have gone for the most destructive, lowest-cost option.”
Looking at the national picture for the new HS2 routes, he said: “The only reason anyone would ever decide to go through over 500 homes and over 500 businesses, along with 19 ancient woodlands and 12 sites of special scientific interest, is because they don’t care about people, jobs or the environment, they only care about getting the costs down.”
A public consultation on the latest plans will come to a close on Friday, December 21. This can be accessed online at www.gov.uk/hs2. RESIDENTS in Long Eaton have expressed concerns over the new HS2 report.
Bonsall Street will face the demolition of 73 residential properties to make way for a 19-metre viaduct. Jacqualine Blackburn, 68, lives in a bungalow on the street with her husband Nicolas, 65.
The houses opposite them face destruction and the owners, they said, will receive compensation. They, however, have been told that they will receive nothing.
Mrs Blackburn said: “It’s the unknown. We haven’t really been told what is going on. I’ve heard about the barn owls and the nature reserve. It’s just so upsetting. They’re not looking at the whole cost of the project.”
Mr Blackburn said: “As for the jobs, what’s to say they will still be there once the job is done. We’ve seen it all before with the three main British industries like steel and the mines.
“You’ve got TeQuipment up the road, the upholstery industry, there’s loads of jobs there and I’ve been hearing that could go.”
Mrs Blackburn said: “We’ve both had heart attacks. Nicolas is disabled and on crutches. All of this on top is Nicolas Blackburn