Rotherham councillors back UKIP motion against HS2

Opposition member Cllr Rob Elliott (inset) tabled the suggestion of objecting to the project at Wednesday’s full meeting of Rotherham Borough Council.

He cited the demolition of homes, traffic during construction and spiralling costs, which have risen from £24 billion in 2010 to an estimated £76 billion.

And fellow UKIP member Cllr Mick Elliott said: “If this goes ahead, it will be the largest, most intrusive and destructive project ever inflicted on this country.”

But Labour amended the motion — putting forward the idea of only opposing the northern part of the high speed route, to Leeds.

Deputy leader Cllr Gordon Watson said: “It’s really important that this is not just abandoned, but the change of route has been nothing short of a disaster for this area.”

Cllr Elliott felt it was still not too late to oppose the project as a whole because people power could achieve anything.

But he said he was still pleased to see the motion backed in some form — adding: “I had prepared myself for a massive disappointment.”

UKIP members voted against their own anti-HS2 motion in September 2016 after saying Labour’s amendment had watered it down too much.