Find another route, HS2 protesters told
Campaigners have been told by HS2 bosses to come up with alternative routes for construction traffic building the high speed rail line.
Officials for HS2 and North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson want new ideas submitted for the project, which will see up to 500 lorries a day travel through Woore.
Businesses in the village have also said they are worried about the "detrimental impact" that HS2 would have on the community, and action group set up in recent weeks is continuing to lead the fight against the proposals.
The current chosen route would see the majority of construction HGVs travelling from the A51 and turning on to the A525 at Woore.
Mike Cowey, vice chairman of Woore Parish Council, said: “Woore parish has also been advised by Owen Paterson and HS2 to submit alternative route and construction recommendations during this consultation period.
“Therefore, it is critical that our residents understand clearly what HS2 has proposed to date and why, if they choose to object.”
Businesses in the village have also said they are worried about the ‘detrimental impact’ that HS2 would have on Woore’s community.
Andy Morris, owner of Woore’s Country Store and post office, said he was very worried about the plans as his store is positioned on the staggered crossroads, at the heart of the village.
It is also central to HS2’s proposed "construction vehicle" route.
He said: “I have serious concerns this will impact on my business.
“There is more of an elderly population around here so there are a lot of people who rely on the post office for its services.
“An increase in traffic and the bottle neck between the A51 and the A525 will have a domino effect on all the surrounding services.
“They are narrow roads and narrow pavements and I have walked up the road from school and have been hit twice recently by wing mirror of vans. I fear for the local population.
“We are the hub of the community and I wouldn’t like to see that jeopardised by an ill conceived plans.”
At a public meeting on Friday, Mr Paterson said he was “deeply cynical” about the HS2 rail line – despite voting in favour of it in parliament.
The initial plan is for a new railway line between London and the West Midlands, which would see trains run at speeds of up to 250mph. The second phase would take the service from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
Councillor Cowey said: “HS2 proposes to send one lorry per minute directly through the heart of our village, six days per week.
“The overwhelming reaction from our parish has been of shock, horror and anger.
“Woore Parish Council have strenuously objected to any disruptions made by HS2.
“We are therefore leading an active campaign with local residents in order to make our opinions known, to reject these current plans and to submit an alternative proposal for HS2 and Government consideration.
“To this end, the parish council is encouraging all households to attend locally held information events, organised by HS2.
“We have also created an individual “HS2” information page on the Woore Parish Council website for ease of communication.
“Most importantly, an integrated councillor/resident working party is being formed to collate research and feedback from residents, so that we can construct and submit a robust and viable alternative proposal within the required timeframe.”
