MP's anger at knock-back for fresh HS2 consultation call

AN MP has hit out at the Department for Transport after it rejected his call for a new HS2 rail route consultation.
MP Kevin Barron joined the HS2 protest march in Bramley last year.MP Kevin Barron joined the HS2 protest march in Bramley last year.
MP Kevin Barron joined the HS2 protest march in Bramley last year.

Sir Kevin Barron, MP for Rother Valley, is angry after the government said no to a rethink despite admitting using inaccurate figures over the number of properties that would be effected.

The government’s preferred HS2 route in South Yorkshire — known as the “M18 route”, which heads through Aston and up to the Dearne Valley —  was chosen after an alternative through Meadowhall was ditched after opposition by Sheffield City Council.

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Estimated demolition figures, which initially showed fewer demolitions on the M18 route and were used to justify its selection over the Meadowhall option, have been found to be wrong by 40 per cent, a figure admitted by the government.

Sir Kevin said he had not had a formal response to his call for a consultation rerun from the Department for Transport even though it had publicly stated its opposition to the idea.

He said: “I am very disappointed that the government has rejected my call to rerun the HS2 phase 2b route consultation despite admitting they used incorrect figures.

“As I have stated numerous times, I believe the Meadowhall route would be much better for South Yorkshire as a whole.

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“I will be requesting a debate in Parliament as soon as possible.”

In a statement, the Department for Transport said that the “drafting error” would not affect the Secretary of State’s decision on the route.

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