MP raises Burton Green HS2 road closure concerns with Prime Minister

The MP for Kenilworth and Southam has raised concerns about the road closures in Burton Green for HS2 works with the Prime Minister.

Jeremy Wright said he was concerned about Burton Green Church of England Academy.

He said the school has been affected by the closure of the junction of Red Lane, Hob Lane and Cromwell Lane, which has caused long diversions for many local families.

HS2 has said that the closures are necessary to facilitate the construction of a crossing point that will also require the removal of a mature oak tree at the junction which is said to cause visibility issues.

Jeremy Wright, raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday September 2 as Parliament resumed following the summer recess.

He said: “My right hon. Friend will be well aware that, welcome though it is, the start of the new term this week will be challenging for all schools.

"It will be particularly so for Burton Green Church of England Academy in my constituency, where HS2 has just closed the road that many parents use to access the school.

"It has done that for several months, with little notice or consultation, and contrary to assurances given during the passage of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act 2017.

"This is not, as my right hon. Friend well knows, the first or only example of high-handedness or poor communication on the part of HS2.

"So will he please help me to require of HS2 that it does better for the people of Burton Green and elsewhere on the route?"

The intervention follows a summit meeting called by Jeremy Wright in response to concerns from the Burton Green Community.

The virtual meeting was held on August 18 with HS2 and its contractors, representatives of the local community and local councillors, the County Council, and included the Independent HS2 Construction Commissioner, Sir Mark Worthington.

Those who attended shared concerns about the closures and impressed on HS2 the need to come up with some alternative proposals that would enable the road to remain open, at least to school traffic, and that might avoid the need for the felling of the mature oak tree.

HS2 were given until August 21 to deliver proposed alternatives but has decided to continue with its plans without any modifications.

Mr Wright said: “HS2 Ltd made promises during the passage of HS2 legislation that essentially said they would be considerate to the needs of local communities, but in this case they have not consulted adequately or done enough to keep those promises to minimise disruption.”

“I am pleased the Prime Minister agreed to take forward the issue I raised in the House today and look forward to further engagement from Ministers on this issue.

"We simply cannot allow HS2 to ride roughshod over local communities and we must hold them to account for promises they make.”