Wakefield councillors to vote on HS2 tomorrow

Local campaigners fighting plans for the HS2 rail link are urging councillors to vote against the scheme at a meeting of the full council tomorrow.
Members from anti-HS2 protest group AKA-HS2 with banners and documents they will hand to Wakefield Council leader Peter Box, calling for the council to officially object against the government's HS2 scheme.Members from anti-HS2 protest group AKA-HS2 with banners and documents they will hand to Wakefield Council leader Peter Box, calling for the council to officially object against the government's HS2 scheme.
Members from anti-HS2 protest group AKA-HS2 with banners and documents they will hand to Wakefield Council leader Peter Box, calling for the council to officially object against the government's HS2 scheme.

Councillors will vote on whether or not the local authority should support the proposals at County Hall at 2pm.

HS2 would pass through Wakefield for 11.4 miles and campaigners say it would impact on the historic nature reserve at Walton Hall Estate.

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Earlier this month, members of Altofts and Kirkthorpe Against HS2 handed a 700-signature petition to Wakefield Council’s leader, Coun Peter Box.

Altofts-based estate agent Stephen Abson, 45, is a member of the campaign group and is urging councillors to vote to oppose HS2 at tomorrow’s meeting.

He said:”We have lobbied via e mail various members of the cabinet committee. I’m hopeful that Wakefield Council will see sense and vote against HS2.

“I would urge them to see that there is no benefit to either the people of Wakefield, other than getting to London 20 minutes quicker.

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“And there will be massive environmental impact both during construction and when and if it is built.”

Last week, an alternative HS2 plan was put forward by Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell, Alec Shelbrooke, which would re-route the scheme nearer Stanley and Lofthouse.

Mr Abson said he would not support any alternative proposal, adding: “I’m completely opposed to the whole HS2 scheme.”

Last November, council leader Coun Box told a meeting of the council’s cabinet committee: “We feel there should be more investment hand in hand with HS2 if it goes ahead there should be investment in the district and between the cities in West Yorkshire.”