'This could be the end of HS2' say campaigners as rail project is put on hold

Jonathan Pile, from the campaign group Crofton Against HS2, has received word that the project is on hold in our region and hopes it will spell an end to the scheme in this part of the

country. Campaigners know there has been a massive cost to people and to the economy on account of the pandemic.

But they anticipate the situation will have raised enough questions about the cost and viability that it will not go ahead.

Mr Pile said: “We may still face another battle for Crofton but it seems that the Eastern leg of the scheme is close to dead and buried. We have official confirmation that the programme is on pause.

“It is the first time there has been a recognition of that. It could be the death knell, we think, for a project that was pushed through at high speed with no consultation.” The project, if it goes ahead, is expected to affect South Kirkby, Brierly, Hemsworth, Kinsley, Newstead, Fitzwilliam, New Crofton, Foulby, Crofton, Sharlston, Sharlston Common and New Sharlston.

Campaigners have battled for years against the scheme.

Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper has argued that too much money is being spent on the project while local rail links are neglected.

Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett has argued that the route should not cut through our district at all.

The leader of Wakefield Council, Coun Denise Jeffery, has urged the government to scrap HS2 and invest in better transport schemes that will benefit the north.

South Kirkby and Moorthorpe Town Council refused to let HS2 staff onto its land to conduct surveys, in opposition to the scheme.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We are delivering HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and a multi-billion pound programme of rail investment to level up prosperity and connectivity across the North and Midlands.”