Response from Kings Bromley Parish Council – HS2 Phase 2a Consultation

1. Traffic Management

There is continuing concern about increased amounts of traffic using the A513/515 through Kings Bromley village, despite statements from HS2 that neither their, nor their contractors vehicles will use this route. However, during the construction process there is likely to be significant disruption, particularly on the A38, which usually results in the A513/A515 being used as a diversion, even if other routes are sign-posted.

Kings Bromley Parish Council requires involvement in advanced traffic management meetings with HS2, Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and Highways England to ensure we are aware of proposals and actions to be taken to avoid traffic problems through the village.

2. Crawley Lane/Common Lane

The Parish Council welcomes the commitment made by HS2 that Common Lane will NOT be closed, and that a road will be constructed linking Common Lane to the A515. This will ensure that increased amount of traffic will not have to use Crawley Lane, which would be dangerous particularly for Richard Crosse School which is located near the junction with the A515.

The Parish Council requires a commitment that this promise will be met and that discussions with affected landowners should be concluded as soon as possible.

3. Out-of-hours Working

During preparatory work prior to construction, HS2 have requested that some work be carried out outside those laid down in the Draft Guide for Construction Practice.

The Parish Council insists that it is informed in advance when any out-of-hours working is requested so that representations can be made to the appropriate authority.

4. Water Table Levels and Drainage

Concerns have been raised about drainage and potential flooding of land during and post-construction. These have become of greater concern because of Climate Change and the impact of digging out and restoration of the 4 proposed borrow pits in the Parish.

The Parish Council insists that affected landowners and their representatives are fully involved in any discussion relating to this, that the Environment Agency and other local authorities are included in these discussions, and that the Parish Council is kept up to date on the results of these discussions.

5. New Rail Lines

Since the residents of Kings Bromley are going to be adversely affected by the construction of HS2, but will receive little benefit from HS2, the Parish Council requires that rail services from Lichfield Trent Valley to Euston and the North are at least maintained or improved. This includes the service provided by Avanti West Coast trains as well as the more local services. Also,

consideration should be given to opening the line from Lichfield to Burton upon Trent to passenger traffic, with a new station built to serve the Arboretum at Alrewas. This would give residents better access to Lichfield, Derby, and the North.

Cllr. Charles Cole