Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden, has been granted a debate in Parliament on HS2 Ltd and local community relations, highlighting the way local residents have been treated by HS2 Ltd. The debate will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 16th March.
Saqib has previously voiced his concern about the Schedule 17 Planning application,
believing HS2 had taken no action to mitigate the impact on the local community or protect the safety of residents living in Balsall Common, in particular on Kelsey Lane and Waste Lane.
This is in addition to local concerns and criticism of the designs for the HS2 viaduct, with significant opposition from the local communities of Balsall Common and Berkswell, including the local Parish Councils.
Saqib has also previously written to the minister responsible for HS2 in the Department for Transport and the Planning Inspectorate on the behaviour of HS2 Ltd and their failure to listen to local residents' concerns.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Saqib said:
“I am delighted that I have been granted a debate on HS2. For too long we’ve seen HS2 treat local residents with contempt. While HS2 has taken huge steps to mitigate local concerns across the country, here with the Ballsall Common viaduct, they have failed to offer any alternatives to address concerns around the design of the viaduct.”
“I hope this debate offers an opportunity for HS2 to reflect and I once again urge them to work with both residents and Parish Councils to provide realistic options for the design of the viaduct.”
“HS2 have provided no alternatives to their viaduct design and have lacked any real and meaningful community engagement. My constituents deserve to be heard. They deserve better.”
