HS2 will devastate Staffordshire villages claim campaigners

Up to 100 campaigners gathered on under-threat farm land in Marston, Stafford, where the HS2 line is due to run.

One farmer who faces losing the land he has worked for 22 years said: "We feel like we've had the death and now we're waiting for the funeral."

Jim Prinold, aged 70, said he was gutted to hear the news the line would pass straight through Sunny Hill Farm.

He has been a farmer for 44 years but has has Sunny Hill Farm for 22 years.

"We don't know what is happening at the moment and the farm has already devalued.

"It's not just about me and my land, it's about the whole community of Marston.

"It is taking the heart out of the parish."

Residents of Marston have formed an action group against HS2 and are joining forces with 18 other campaign groups affected by HS2 in Staffordshire.

These include Hopton, the Haywoods and Colton. Frank Peach and his wife Susan would lose their home in Marston, under plans for HS2.

The retired chirpodist has lived there for 40 years and described the proposals as having a "devastating" effect on the parish. "Only a tiny fraction of the general public will benefit from this," said the father-of-two. But we will probably all bear the majority of the costs." The proposed line would run close to the home of 63-year-old Robert Gasch, who has lived in Marston for 20 years.

"I just can't see the benefits for Staffordshire," he said. "I just think it means more people will travel down to London and do business there."

Brian Anderson, aged 70, said he had been planning to retire in May and plans he and his wife were drawing up to move away had been thrown into disarray by the potential devaluation of his property.

"Our future plans are on hold," said the grandfather-of-six.

"I have never seen the parish so galvanised about something."

Campaigners descended on the farm with banners bearing slogans such as "Stop HS2" and were joined by UKIP leader Nigel Farage.