Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden, led a debate in Parliament on Thursday 16th March on HS2 Ltd and local community relations, raising the “contempt” with which HS2 Ltd have treated Meriden constituents. Saqib cited their lack of meaningful engagement over the Balsall viaduct designs alongside HS2 intransigence with two constituents living near HS2 works.
Saqib highlighted the unique nature of the Meriden constituency in that it reflects every aspect of the HS2 debate. It has the interchange station and the related Arden Cross development, but also has HS2 Ltd ripping up villages such as Balsall Common and Hampton in Arden, damaging the green belt.
Along with highlighting the lack of engagement on designs of the Balsall viaduct, Saqib specifically mentioned constituents Iain Smith and Stephen Fletcher, who have had their lives blighted by HS2, with compensation and not living up to their “good neighbour” values.
Saqib also took HS2 to task over “big, white concrete elephant” when describing the design of the Ballsall Common Viaduct. This was compounded by HS2 Ltd’s lack of any alternatives to the design of the viaduct, despite other, more visually appealing designs for viaducts in other parts of the country.
Saqib emphasised the need for HS2 to draw inspiration from the nation’s rich history of inventors and architectural icons, such as Sir Christopher Wren, Brunel, Sir Norman Foster, and Augustus Pugin. He criticised HS2 Ltd’s current plans, likening the concrete structures to “spaghetti junction” and questioned why they weren’t trying to build something more aesthetically acceptable. Saqib called for HS2 Ltd to do better saying “It is not too late; we can and we should demand better”.
Huw Merrimen, Minister of State for Rail and HS2, speaking on HS2 said “efforts should be made to learn from mistakes” and he would ensure the issues of Stephen Fletcher and Iain Smith were investigated and write to Saqib.
The Minister also discussed his recent meeting with the HS2 construction commissioner and the residents commissioner to discuss current issues affecting communities and to better understand how HS2 Ltd is responding to those challenges. Talking about HS2 and effective communication, the Minister stressed that he was “committed to making sure that issues are resolved as quickly as possible and lessons are learned for the future.”.
Saqib expressed his commitment to persistently advocate for his constituents’ concerns regarding HS2’s plans. He stated, “I have a lot of time for the Minister and I know that he was an excellent Chair of the Transport Committee – but he should know that I will keep coming back on these issues, I will keep requesting debates and I will keep coming back on these issues, I will keep requesting debates and I will keep demanding answers.” Saqib emphasised the importance of ensuring his constituents’ voices are heard and that their interests are represented in the decision-making process.
