Acton Residents Fighting HS2 Branded as 'Tedious'
Local MP slams rail company's QC for showing 'complete contempt'
North Acton residents worried about the impact HS2 will have on their homes have been branded as 'tedious' in Parliament according to the local MP.
Old Oak Common and Park Royal will be significantly affected by the proposed route and some residents expect to face major disruption. Many have expressed anger about the failure of HS2 Ltd to take their lives and livelihoods into consideration, or to offer proper compensation.
The Ealing Central & Acton MP, Rupa Huq, has been speaking in the House of Commons about the proposed rail link and told MPs that whilst she is in favour of the concept of high-speed rail, she could not support HS2 Ltd because of ' the cavalier way it operates.'
Ms Huq said that at the select committee the QC representing HS2 called protesting residents 'tedious' which she believed 'showed complete contempt for them.
The MP described how one constituent’s house was now valued at £0 when they tried to re-mortgage it highlighting the detrimental impact the rail link is having.
Rupa Huq MP with concerned local business owners
She said: ''There are also a number of vulnerable small local businesses I have spoken to who are extremely concerned that they will be forced to close, because they will only be given a 3 month warning of the need to re-locate. For me, a year’s breathing space would be a far more sensible proposition. Indeed, this type of problem is indicative of the way in which the Government has senselessly rushed through such a vital and hugely costly project.''
Ms Huq condemned what she said was seemingly special treatment given to those living in Tory-voting shire-counties by the Conservative government. She added: 'urban and suburban constituencies … are not treated the same as rural support zones. I believe that needs to be looked at. We should not accept that suburban or urban dwellers should simply ‘put up with it. I’m disappointed that the Conservatives railroaded through such a major project as HS2, suppressing a full debate and failing to allow MPs the opportunity to vote on my proposed changes.''
The bill now passes over to the House of Lords.
The Rail Minister will be visiting the area on 25 April, both businesses and residents will have the opportunity to put their case.
Anyone wanting to attend the meeting should email rupa.huq.mp@parliament.uk
13th April 2016