Petition launched in attempt to block applications for hundreds of extra HS2 lorry movements through Balsall Common on a daily basis

More than 1,000 people in Balsall Common have signed a petition to stop up to 400 extra HS2 lorry movements taking place in the town every day.
HS2HS2
HS2

There are currently three planning applications submitted to Solihull Council for HS2 lorry routes in Balsall Common.

These include applications for permission for 200 HGVs each way per day along the A452, Kelsey Lane and Waste Lane, with a small number continuing along Hodgetts Lane and Truggist Lane and permission for up to 200 HGVs each way per day along both parts of Hallmeadow Rd, with a new access off the roundabout by the Balsall Common Medical Centre to create a haul route behind the Legion and Unity/Carstins Garage towards Waste Lane.

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Andrew Ogilvie, who is campaigning against the applications, said: "These applications ask for 400 additional lorry movements daily (200 return trips) through Balsall Common which is entirely avoidable if HS2 use a haul route that runs directly alongside the proposed route of HS2.

"With compounds established at Park Lane and Waste Lane it makes absolute sense to have an internal haul road rather than using public roads in the village. If HS2 pursue their plans it will only serve to leave residents with loss of amenity, an increase in noise and air pollution and increased dangers to health, safety and wellbeing.

"The roundabout currently being constructed at the junction of the A452 and Park Lane, just to the north of Balsall Common, was designed to enable HS2 traffic to enter the Park Lane compound and then service construction works along an internal continuous trace-line haul route through to the Park Lane compound, thereby minimising disruption to Balsall Common roads and residents.

"HS2’s recently submitted planning applications show that they intend to abandon their intent to sensitively work in collaboration with the local councillors and residents, thereby adding further unnecessary disruption to a community that is already heavily affected by the new railway.

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"As well as asking local residents to submit their own written objections to the Council, a petition has been set up to make it easier for people to raise their objection to HS2’s plans and call for the implementation of a continuous trace-line haul route from the Park Lane compound to the Waste Lane compound."

A spokeswoman from HS2 has said: "Our priority is to minimise impacts on local communities wherever possible.

"We are building a haul road in this area, which will take construction traffic off local roads and reduce impacts, but until the road is built we need to use the existing local road network.

"Using Hallmeadow Road will reduce the volume of lorries through the overall area, reduce the distance travelled on public roads by HGVs, and avoid the use of less suitable roads like Waste Lane.”

To read the petition click here.

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