Residents vow to fight HS2 lorries plan for Staffordshire route

The future use of Pirehill Lane in Stone remains in the balance, with HS2 looking to run lorries down there to its Yarlet compound as part of the construction of phase 2a of the line.

While the route has been pulled from the current works schedule, HS2 has now confirmed it could be brought back in unless an alternative is found.

Furious residents and community leaders in Walton have slammed the potential use of Pirehill Lane, which has three schools and three nurseries in its vicinity. They say it will lead to traffic gridlock, deteriorating air quality and be a danger to the community.

Neil Jenkins said: “I’m concerned about people’s safety – it’s a residential area with schools and shops. What’s 40-odd trucks a day going by going to do to the foundations of my property?

“It’s a disgrace – I registered my objection in a submission online and it’s all ignored. It takes people’s protests and the involvement of councillors for them to think about it.”

Carol Wise said there were already traffic issues in the area. She added: “It’s hard enough to get out onto Eccleshall Road now we have all the extra housing.”

Gemma McGoldrick, who walks her young son to school, said: “We are at Manor Hill and I worry about my son all the time. The traffic is so fast, then people park at the top of the road and it’s really dangerous.”

Ian Richardson said that part of Pirehill Lane south of the built-up area was just a single track width. And Brian Phillips said an alternative route should be created from the Aston roundabout so that construction traffic would not have to use Pirehill Lane at all.

HS2's so-called 'schedule 17' design and construction plans for the area are expected to be announced this month following a series of delays.

A HS2 spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Staffordshire County Council to assess the most suitable route for HS2 vehicles to travel to and from the Yarlet construction compound.

“Pirehill Lane in Stone hasn’t been removed from our construction plans, but we are committed to exploring alternative access options. HS2’s Schedule 17 application has been amended, removing the request to use Pirehill Lane, while this work is carried out.”

Council bosses continue to insist they have backed residents over the controversial line, although critics have accused the authority of "waving the white flag" to HS2.

David Williams, Staffordshire County Council’s transport chief, said: “From the outset we have championed the cause of Staffordshire residents to minimise the impact of HS2 on our communities and on our countryside.

“We have made it clear to HS2 Ltd that Pirehill Lane is currently not suitable for heavy lorry traffic and have asked for it to be removed from the planned scheduled work programme until suitable remediation is undertaken or an alternative identified.”

Phase 2a of the budget-busting line, which runs from the West Midlands to Crewe, has been delayed for two years in a bid to cut costs.