HS2 bosses agree to cut wait for reopening of path to 18 months
T he six-year closure of a vital footpath forcing people to dangerously walk across the A38 has been reduced to just 18 months.
According to Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, HS2 has agreed to significantly reduce the length of time the the path linking Fradley and Streethay, near the Trent and Mersey Canal, is closed.
The firm delivering the UK’S biggest modern rail overhaul had planned to shut it to accommodate years of construction work. However, Mr Fabricant has met with HS2 chiefs, who have agreed to reopen the vital public right of way within 18 months - and he hopes it will happen even sooner.
Mr Fabricant said: “I understand how disappointing this response is, but given the original plan was to close the footpath for ‘a minimum of four years,’ 18 months will be an improvement. In fact, I hope in practice it can be reopened within 12 months.
“I intend to walk the diverted route with Phil Thornett [the constituent who brought the problem to light) and see for myself to see how dangerous crossing the A38 can be. Unfortunately, the construction of a temporary footbridge was not considered to be practical.
“Meanwhile, eventual closure of the southbound slip road into Streethay will cause further disruption and I hope this too can be kept to a minimum amount of time.
“The only good news is I was assured at the meeting the A38 itself won’t be closed while a culvert or ‘tunnel’ is constructed underneath and deep cuttings are dug either side.
“Those with long memories will recall the original plan was for HS2 to run on stilts further west slicing off a part of the Boley Park housing estate in Lichfield. When I managed to get the line moved to its present position, HS2 wanted the line to run high over the A38 with track being visible for miles around and we also managed to get that changed. “While going under the A38 will cause much more initial engineering work, it’ll mean the train will now run in deep cuttings reducing both visual and sound pollution nearby.”
It was reported last week how walkers had been forced to dash across the busy A38 dodging 70mph traffic because the footpath was closed. One walker said he and a friend were stuck for 15 minutes in the middle of the dual carriageway with cars whizzing by waiting to cross. David Speight, project client director of BBV and HS2, said: “I recognise the closure of the public right of way will be disruptive to Mr Thornett as well as the wider community and I want to reassure you we take our responsibility to impacted communities very seriously and try to minimise disruption wherever possible. Due to the extent of our works, we’re not yet able to offer a diversion route for Fradley and Streethay at this time.
“However, subject to concluding arrangements with local landowners, we hope to open a diversion in late 2023 which will allow safe access to the canal towpath.
“This means even though the environmental statement allows for a six year closure of the footpath, which as you’ll aware we had previously reduced to four years to reduce disruption, we now hope it’ll remain closed for just 18 months.
“We are in the process of concluding our discussions on this and once we’ve confirmation, we’ll write to you again with the final details which I hope will be helpful to you and those impacted by the closure.
“Unfortunately, it’s not been possible to find a way to keep this right of way open during this phase of construction to protect the health and safety of the public and our workforce.
“The existing footpath crosses what will become the Streethay cutting - a large and deep excavation to take the HS2 track below the line of sight - reducing the visual impact of HS2 within the area.
“To create the cutting we need to excavate over 750,000 cubic metres of earth which would require a large amount of vehicle movements and involve heavy machinery.
“To ensure this work could be conducted as safely as possible, the decision was taken to close the right of way.”
I intend to walk the diverted route to see for myself how dangerous crossing the A38 can be.
Michael Fabricant