Campaigners won't give up fight against HS2 plans
We won't give up the fight to stop HS2 passing through Mexborough - that's the message from campaigners in the town
Anti-HS2 campaigners in Mexborough say they'll keep fighting to stop the new route through the county going ahead.
The government announced yesterday a new route through South Yorkshire is their preferred one, with a station in Sheffield city centre rather than Meadowhall.
That would mean the demolition of the brand new Shimmer Estate in Mexborough which stands on the proposed route.
Mexborough First councillor Bev Chapman says the campaign opposing the plans will keep fighting:
"Were never going to give up, right until the very last minute, we'll never give up. It's just something we have to do - we have to change their minds. Whatever we have to do to change their minds, to prove to them it's wrong, we'll do it.
"Some people are wanting to move now - I do understand that, they're blighted now so they can sell their homes to the government. But there are people out there who want to stay in their homes. It's a nice community. We're just going to fight for the ones who want to live on the estate and in their own houses in other parts on Mexborough."
The government are now consulting on the plans, with a final decision due at the start of next year.
Bev says it's encouraging that decision hasn't been made yet:
"I just think this proves that they really think that it's wrong. If they thought that this was right, they would have announced it that this was the route. There's obviously some doubt in their minds. We just need to prove it to them that there is a strong doubt - and we will prove it to them."
The residents of the Shimmer Estate have been told their properties are now safeguarded, meaning most of them will be able to apply to the government to buy their homes.
But there are still concerns about the rest of the county - as well as about those in Mexborough.
Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey's told Hallam, if the preferred route does go ahead, there needs to be another station to benefit the rest of the county:
"I think every way you look at this, it's a worse deal for South Yorkshire. The worst of all worlds is we get HS2 running through South Yorkshire not stopping at all so I want them also to look hard at whether they should put a station North of Rotherham or somewhere in the Dearne.
"I think the case against this new proposed route is strong, I think it's clear, I think we can make it stronger during the consultation and it's really important that people make their views known so we give the Transport Secretary as much as possible to think about.
"We have to continue to make that case. I know the action groups that I'm in touch with will and I know most of the local MPs will also help make that case. It's a strong one - the benefits are not as great as the original Meadowhall route."
Ministers argue their preferred route will directly benefit South Yorkshire and HS2 have always maintained it will be cheaper, provide better connectivity and affect fewer people than the Meadowhall option.
Sheffield City Council have also welcomed the government's announcement on the route.
A spokesperson for the council said:
“The Secretary of State has endorsed the recommendation that a city centre HS2 link is the best solution for the Sheffield City Region but we appreciate that he now needs to consult on these plans.
“Numerous studies demonstrate that stations located in city centres drive more jobs and growth, as the Government’s own figures show, and we know that this will bring much bigger economic benefits not just to Sheffield but to the whole city region."