Campaigners stepping up fight against HS2 plan

Members of the Crofton Against HS2 Group met with Wakefield Council leader Peter Box to discuss the proposed HS2 route on Wednesday.

They say Crofton has been “unnecessarily targeted” in the fresh plans, which propose a new track through the village and a train depot.

And Coun Box said he shares the concerns of the campaign group.

The route has moved further to the east of the district and, if approved, would take thundering trains through Crofton, Altofts, Nostell and parts of the south east.

Coun Box said: “I understand and share the concerns of residents who are rightly worried about the impact of the new HS2 route on our district.

“As far as I can see there appears to be no real case for the benefits in the latest proposals for Wakefield.”

HS2 Limited is organising an information event in Crofton on August 2, where campaigners will also hold a demonstration on the same day.

The group has organised a petition which has more than 50 signatures from residents objecting to the proposals.

The petition reads: “HS2 Limited has blighted our village and we demand compensation for loss of house prices for families who have purchased or are selling property.

“We will work to see this £80bn vanity project is scrapped, or changed to that ordinary people’s lives are not wrecked, in order for rich people to travel faster.”

The demonstration takes place outside Crofton Community Centre on August 2, from 11.30am-8pm.

The new route aims to cut journey times on services heading to Leeds, York and Newcastle. HS2 bosses also say it would reduce the cost of the project by around £1bn.

MPs Jon Trickett, Yvette Cooper and the National Trust have also raised concerns about the plans.