Saqib has written to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) objecting to the plans proposed by HS2. The resubmitted plans would see almost 400 lorry movements on the A452, the main arterial route through the village and then routes along residential roads, Kelsey Lane and Waste Lane, with some continuing on the narrow rural lanes of Hodgetts Lane and Truggist Lane.
Plans of a similar nature submitted by HS2 Ltd were rejected on appeal last December. Since then, HS2 Ltd wrote that they have been consulting the local community however, residents have refuted this statement, saying that there has been no attempt to consult them.
In a letter to the SMBC Planning Committee, Saqib said:
“One of the reasons the previous planning application was refused was due to the width of Kelsey Lane being too narrow to allow free flow of traffic and the required volume of HS2 lorries without compromising pedestrian safety. This was also referred to in the Planning Inspector's decision notice in dismissing HS2's appeal. Nothing in this application changes that - the width of Kelsey Lane remains the same regardless of the road safety measures that HS2 have proposed.
“Having attended briefings from HS2 and BBV on a number of occasions, it is clear that they have failed to do adequate work to assess alternative routes put forward which would have less impact on the village of Balsall Common.
“I urge HS2 Limited and BBV to come up with alternative solutions in collaboration with the local community in Balsall Common. The people of Balsall Common deserve respect and much better than they are being offered.”
