'The Government is robbing us of our inheritance'
VILLAGERS fear tens of thousands of pounds will be knocked off the value of their homes if the current HS2 plans go ahead.
Married couple Elizabeth and Paul Hulme moved to a converted Victorian water tower in Swynnerton two years ago.
But the HS2 line is set to run just 400 metres from their home.
Civil servant Mrs Hulme, aged 58, said: "The Government has robbed us of our savings and inheritance.
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"We have worked hard to have a nice property and now if we ever wanted to sell up it would show on the searches.
"We have commanding views over the countryside from our home, so if the line was built the impact on us would be phenomenal."
The couple, who moved from Devon for family reasons two years ago, only found out how close the train line would come in January when they stumbled across the proposed route on the internet.
The mother-of-two does not believe the train service needs to be updated and branded HS2 a waste of public money.
She added: "HS2 will only shift a few select people around the country as the cost to the average working person would not be affordable. People don't need to travel to meetings these days and I think we should be focusing on developing our IT systems.
"At the moment HS2 is costing £33 billion and that is not with all the added costs for labour. We could spend that money on improving people's lives."
Building services engineer Mr Hulme said: "My biggest concern is that we are in an uncertain period.
"This issue is not a catastrophic act of nature but is an act of Government.
"Our financial pot could be completely diminished by these plans as it is tied up in our property."
6 Comments
by stokehs2
Monday, March 11 2013, 6:25PM
“I have a question here for Elizabeth and Paul Hulme and the paper, what is the distance from the existing WCML from your house?”
by Tinsdills Solicitors
Monday, March 11 2013, 12:27PM
“If the line runs that close then presumably there is a chance the property location will entitle them to compensation in which case they'll get a very good deal I would suspect.
The need foe HS2 is also clear. The current lines are at capacity so more capacity is needed. Whatever you build will run through someones garden somewhere. We are a very small country so this is inevitable. I don't think the majority of people understand economics or business which is why they say HS2 is a waste of time.”
by mrb__instoke
Monday, March 11 2013, 11:41AM
“why not move to a terraced up hanley then there is no need to worry about anybody building a motorway or rail link next door. simples”
by spudder56
Monday, March 11 2013, 10:04AM
“What is the point of HS2 ? People dont need to travel to meetings etc anymore it can all be done via the internet If people are travelling to meetings and claiming expenses it can only increase the price of the end product there is nothing wrong with the current rail system if it was used efficiently !!! Who is going to use the new HS2 - People going on shopping trips ?? There will be just online shopping when this Ludicrous waste of money is completed TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY WHICH WE HAVENT GOT”
by ElRealistico
Monday, March 11 2013, 9:53AM
“Labour, Tories, Lib Dums, they are all the same.
Out of office they will help you, as soon as they are voted in they help themselves.”
by simmo707
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:31AM
“BROKEN BRITAIN UNDER TORIES – WHAT DID THE 2010 ELECTION MEAN
The data on the last General Election shows us that the majority of 298 groups (constituencies)of the population were in favour of a Tory Government .The majority of 191 groups in favour of a Labour Government and the majority of 41 groups in favour of a Liberal one.65% of the population voted .
Generally voters support the party that will benefit them better than the other .Blair totally alienated the Labour voters through his lies deceit and closed policy of Government hence the Tory win ,it was a protest vote .So who do we vote for next - after the Draconian rule of the Tories and their arrogant aloof attitude of thinking they are better than the majority of the Country who is the backbone of Britain without us they are nobody .They need reminding .Were all born the same we all die the same.http://tinyurl.com/9ssygmt”