Fight against HS2 plans stepped up in Mexborough
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has promised to fight against revised HS2 plans, as hundreds of people turned out for a public meeting in Mexborough last night.
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has promised to fight against revised HS2 plans, as hundreds of people turned out for a public meeting in Mexborough last night.
The Doncaster North MP urged the community to unite with other areas campaigning against the High Speed Rail plans – which would mean several homes being bulldozed:
“I’m going to fight with you every step of the way on this,” he told the meeting at Mexborough Academy.
“I’m determined to do all we can to make government see that this isn’t the right proposal, it isn’t right for this community, and it isn’t right for the country.”
The meeting was to update local residents on the revised route – which would mean the HS2 station being moved to Sheffield city centre rather than Meadowhall – and decide how to fight against the proposals.
At earlier meetings, Doncaster and Rotherham Councils both voted to oppose the project.
“We live in a village called Harlington which is very near where the HS2 would cross at Barnbrough," says local resident Paul.
"But the main reason we came tonight is because our son bought a house on the Shimmer estate. Six days after he moved in, he got a letter telling him it might be knocked down.
“I think it’s been a bit of a botched idea. Hopefully they’ll see the strength of feeling and revisit it, and hopefully change their minds.”
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones told Hallam the plans have created real anger in the community: “We know there’s a better route. Sir David Higgins actually said there was in 2014. How do you change overnight?
“I think the meeting went very well. What we’ve got to do is stay united together and fight the proposal of the route. Because these are people’s homes, not houses.”
Mexborough First Councillor Bev Chapman said: “At the moment we aren’t getting any answers from HS2 whatsoever. They’ve just put up a brick wall and are not talking to us, not on any level.
“I’m sure that they will take notice of what we’re saying. Whether they’ll act on it is another matter. We’re here to persuade them that we know what’s best for this area.”
HS2 did not send a representative to the meeting, but bosses told us people will get the chance to have their say once a decision's made later this year.
In a statement, a spokesman said: “HS2 will dramatically improve journeys between the Midlands and the North, and London, boosting capacity, improving connectivity and helping to rebalance the national economy.
“We believe the new South Yorkshire route will be cheaper, easier to construct, provide better connectivity and affect fewer people than the Meadowhall option. We will continue to work with local authorities, business and people along the line of route to better understand their concerns.
“The Secretary of State will make a decision on the route from Birmingham to Leeds later this year. This will be followed by an opportunity for locally affected people and organisations to have their say on our proposals.”
They say they are seeking further events in the area and are writing to residents to invite them.
They’ve also pledged to hold a formal consultation later in the year.