MP raises concern about how HS2 upheaval could hit Castle Bromwich

MERIDEN MP Caroline Spelman has urged the Transport Secretary to “protect” Castle Bromwich from major disruption during the construction of HS2.

While the suburb is not as close to the rail link as neighbouring Chelmsley Wood, Mrs Spelman is concerned that Water Orton Road will be used to haul spoil.

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this week, she voiced concerns that the increased traffic could turn the road into a rat run.

The problems caused by building work have often been overlooked in the past and Mrs Spelman argued that it was a “glaring oversight” that residents affected by the construction work were not entitled to compensation.

She said this had to change, as sites set aside to house the HS2 workforce would be in use for years.

“Around the interchange station at Birmingham Airport we can expect construction works to continue for over five years,” she told fellow MPs.

“And people are every bit as blighted being opposite a construction compound or next to a spoil heap as they are being 60metres from the track.”

Mrs Spelman was speaking at the second reading of the HS2 bill and was one of 32 Tory MPs who put their name to an amendment, which raised concerns about the multi-billion pound scheme

But the former Environment Secretary has resisted calls to join many of her fellow backbenchers and oppose the project altogether.

Abstaining from a second vote on whether the bill should proceed, she has said she will now channel her efforts into reducing the negative impact on local communities.

However, the Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group argue that her position is ambiguous and had implored her to vote against the proposals.

In the end, the second reading was passed by a majority of 451 votes to 50.

This means that the legislation which will pave the way for the first phase of the rail link (London to the West Midlands) has moved a step closer to becoming law. But there are still many hours of debate ahead; the third reading of the bill will see the details of the project discussed in far greater detail.

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