Warwick District Council prepares to fight HS2 proposal

The council agreed to prepare an ‘urgent’ preliminary report for the executive committee in preparation to defend the district against the scheme.

Cllr George Illingworth said: “This is about the potential effect of HS2 on Warwick district, not the validity of the concept.

“They have moved the line so that it cuts through Stoneleigh Park, chops off the corner of Kenilworth Golf Course, demolishes a listed farm-
house and then runs significantly closer to homes in Kenilworth on its way to Burton Green, making its impact worse.

“We don’t want Kenilworth to end up as a town with two railway lines and no station.”

Cllr Illingworth added that the original proposal “had all the makings of having been designed by an apprentice on a Friday afternoon.”

Cllr Ann Blacklock pointed to the plight of Burton Green which would be split in two by the train line.

“That truly justifies the word devastating,” she said.

Cllr Norman Vincett said the speed should be reduced to 200mph so that it can run largely along the motorways and existing trainlines.

“There is no real benefit to this district,” said Cllr Bernard Kirton.