The backlash against high speed rail has continued this week as the Government’s roadshow arrived in towns and villages close to where the 225mph trains will pass.
Experts from HS2 Ltd were in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, this week to meet homeowners worried about the impact of the route.
Residents were able to study details maps and listen to a simulation of the noise that the 400-metre long trains will make as they pass the northern edge of the village.
But it did little to change the minds of people like 35-year-old Sara Shepherd who has been unable to sell her house in Old Station Road, Hampton-in-Arden, despite slashing the price.
“A lot of people have been to see it and say they love it but then they find out about the rail line and they’re not interested,” she said.
“We don’t qualify to have it bought from us because we can’t show a need to move.
“It means we’ll end up staying in a house that’s too small for us or lose a fortune and I’ve not heard anything today that makes me think high speed rail is a good idea.”
Much of the line will be raised on a viaduct as it passes Hampton-in-Arden because of flood plains.
At its closest point to the village, it will come within 300 yards of properties on Diddington Lane.
Resident Judith Kennedy, 66, said: “As soon as we heard the rumours, it was too late to sell the house.
“I’m worried that we will be trapped in a house that we can’t afford once my husband and I are retired.
“There was nobody here today who could answer the questions about how we are supposed to support ourselves.”
A roadshow will be held at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Friday and Saturday.
The events have been often feisty affairs and one member of the HS2 consultation team was sacked after calling a member of the public a 'cretin' during a row at the roadshow in Balsall Common last week.
Ian Gordon, director of project sponsorship at HS2, said: “Obviously there are a lot of people who have found their home or business is close to the route and we are listening to their concerns.
"But there have also been some positive comments from people who say this should have happened years ago.”
