News Release

2nd April 2003

NOISE AND DISTURBANCE FROM WEST COAST MAIN LINE IMPROVEMENTS

With the Government approving works to commence on the West Coast Main Line upgrade, Michael Fabricant raised the question of disturbance to the lives of people living in Armitage, Handsacre, and Lichfield with the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, in the Commons Chamber yesterday (1st April). Michael Fabricant says "While I support the principle of the West Coast Main Line rail upgrade, I want to ensure that disruption to the lives of my constituents during the construction period is minimised. In particular, the rail route through Lichfield and Armitage and Handsacre is being widened and 4 tracks are being laid instead of the existing two. This will particularly affect residents in Armitage where the line goes through the middle of the town. I supported an alternative route north of Armitage, but this was rejected by the Government. We must now ensure that construction noise, vibration, and dirt is minimised while the work is undertaken".

Taken from Hansard, Michael Fabricant said to the Secretary of State for Transport:-

"The Secretary of State will be aware that two lines of track that run through my constituency are to be increased to four lines of track. The construction period will affect 320 homes in Armitage and Handsacre and 150 homes in Lichfield. During that period, what sort of recourse do my constituents have if they wish to complain? How can they improve conditions if the noise becomes too great or if a 14-week construction period is extended to 28 weeks or 30 weeks? What hope can the Secretary of State give them that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel?" Alistair Darling replied:- "He raises a perfectly reasonably point. The Strategic Rail Authority and those responsible will make every effort to ensure that the work is carried out as expeditiously as possible. No doubt if the hon. Gentleman's constituents are aggrieved they will come first to him and he can then approach the Department with any difficulties that he may have. In relation to specific measures, it might be better if I write to him, as he knows exactly what the position is."

Michael Fabricant agrees. "When the work begins, complaints should be made initially to the construction company. They will give contact names and addresses before the work begins. But if a problem is not resolved after speaking to the construction firm, constituents should then write to me at the House of Commons in London and I will take the matter up with the construction company concerned, the Strategic Rail Authority, or the Department of Transport. I hope then the matter can be resolved and disruption to people's lives during the construction period can be minimised."