HS2 should not become a political football

CAN I reiterate Erewash Borough Council’s stance on HS2 as stated in a motion at full council in June: This council is deeply concerned that the proposed HS2 route will have a significant detrimental impact on residents and businesses in Long Eaton and surrounding areas and will continue to seek the best possible package of mitigation and compensation from Government through the proposed Hybrid Bill and from HS2 Ltd and other organisations.

The previous leader, Chris Corbett and now myself as leader, with our lead member for regeneration Councillor Powell, along with officers including the CEO, attend every meeting connected to this project to make our voice heard. If it had been left to the Labour opposition this would not be happening as they put a motion to full council some time ago saying that we should not attend any meeting with anyone with any connection to HS2.

I am sorry but if you are not at the table you cannot influence anything.

Our thoughts and concerns are with those most affected by HS2 but whether you support this project or not, we as a Borough Council cannot stop it happening but what we can do and are doing is to work as hard as possible to obtain the best outcomes and mitigation for the people and businesses affected.

We have been doing this since the project was first announced and we have had some success in that both county councils, district and borough councils involved and other partners have recognised that Long Eaton and area will be the most affected area on the East Midlands line and are supporting us to make our case.

We recently set up a cross party steering group to move our case forward but unfortunately although the Labour leader and deputy leader attended and I believe were impressed about the work already carried out by our officers, due to a silly misunderstanding over some consultation, which if they had spoken to me could have been cleared up easily, decided to walk away from this group. How sad and pathetic, HS2 should not be a political football; we should be all working together at the council to obtain the best outcomes for our area which will be badly affected. The recent information that has been announced is the worst possible scenario and we have already things in place to challenge some of the report and we will respond in great detail within the consultation period. Carol Hart Leader Erewash Borough Council