Councillors' anger as HS2 demolition toll rises in Mexborough

EVEN more Mexborough homes are in line for demolition under HS2 than previously planned, according to new documents which have outraged the town’s councillors.

Earlier plans showed 19 houses near the River Don would be knocked down to make way for the controversial rail link.

But the Working Draft Environmental Statement released on Thursday indicates a total of 63 will go on the Ravenfield to Clayton route, including 52 from the Shimmer estate.

Mexborough First councillor Sean Gibbons said he thought the final toll would be much higher — possibly even as many as 200.

“HS2 should be deeply ashamed and it is now certainly time for a much over-due public inquiry into this whole ‘white elephant’ and the persistent lies and contempt to local residents, MPs, cllrs and local authorities etc by HS2 Ltd throughout the whole process.”

See next week’s Rotherham Advertiser and Dearne Valley Weekender for more details and reaction.