HINTS VILLAGE NEWS

	Comments received from visitors to this website - below -
If you wish to comment or are able to help the Action Group please email hs2@hints-village.com , stating if you wish your email to remain private and not appear on this page. We endeavour to publish verbatim but you will appreciate that we may paraphrase for reasons of space or privacy. The comments below are not those of the Action Group, whose work may be read here: hs2 news
19/05/11 KC Hints	Having watched the Central News debate tonight, it seems unfortunate that many "mature" viewers are precluded from voting by not only needing internet access but also to have a Facebook account.
18/05/11 JRF Hints	Regarding HS2 - Response to Letters to the Editor in the Daily Telegragh Monday 16th May 2011. The letter supporting the HS2 which was signed by Chairmen / Presidents was not surprising as the Government finances the Chamber of Commerce. They are only kowtowing to the Government that supports them. The rail link was originally an EU initiative and the directive stated that there should be a rail link between Paris and Edinburgh. HS1 is not financially viable and I understand there maybe as many as five trains not in use but in storage.
16/01/11 RL Drayton Bassett	Following the Transport Minister's announcement in the House of Commons on the 21st of December 2010 ... read open letter by clicking here
22/11/10 JO Bicester, Oxon	Re your problems with HS2 we are in a similar situation, but further down the line – we have been battling Chiltern Railways re their upgrade Evergreen 3 for 18 months and our Public Inquiry is running now. We run an equestrian unit and the proposed high speed passenger and freight trains will drown out voices in our riding school and spook horses in paddocks next to the line. You may have seen the article about our situation in Horse & Hound last week. Chiltern maintain that the high speed trains along our boundary will produce no problem. If you have any experience of a similar situation and the effect of train noise on horses it would be very helpful. Of course we will be glad to give any help to you, based on our long experience of dealing with Chiltern lawyers, techies etc
8/11/10 JL Weeford	The Secretary of State for Transport has indicated HS2 will look at the route between around Lichfield and Tamworth. This has been driven by commitment given by the Lichfield MP that the viaduct through Lichfield will happen “over his dead body” and the announcement on 4 October that the HS3 is to proceeded with and the track will there extend on North of Lichfield. This according to the minister “changed the goal posts” around Lichfield. If a revised route is selected it should only be on the basis that it of net benefit to all local communities. All possible routes should be looked at. Only if a better route can be found taking into account all the local environment and local communities is there a case for changing the existing preferred route 3 round Hints etc. Overall the emphasis still has to be to campaign against HS2 altogether.
2/11/10 JT Hints	I was very interested to see the correspondence in relation to the Hints Kink. From a very selfish point of view and as a Hints resident, I am anxious that as much effort as possible is put into diverting the line away from the Bourne Valley in general and Hints in particular. I would be delighted to argue that the HS2 should not proceed in any form as this is what I firmly believe, however, after all the investment that has already been made , there is no chance that these plans will be consigned to the shredder. The best that we could hope for is that the plans are temporarily shelved for possible resurrection in the future and that would only be delaying the inevitable and would certainly not remove any blight that might be associated with it. I therefore strongly suggest that for the sake of the Bourne Valley we initially argue that the Hints Kink should be removed and this way, even if we are unable to then get the whole project consigned to the bin, Hints will be an “HS2 free area”. If we subsequently get the whole project shelved forever we have lost nothing.
01/11/10 CP Hopwas	Dear Sirs, Like many, I feel the HS2 a complete waste of taxpayers money. I fear that it will – as any rail journey does – cost a disproportionate amount to use. I feel that, due to the property prices in London and SW people have moved further north to buy cheaper properties and then have to commute back to their place of work – that’s their choice why should we have to pay for it? The idea of moving traffic from motorways to rail is a non-argument. Most motorway traffic is freight and the next largest is commuter traffic see above. Previous governments have ruined the trade and economies of towns and cities north of London – giving away the family silver. I live in Hopwas and, like your goodselves do not want the noise and visual impact from this programme. The Hints Kink proposal would risk the loss of Hopwas woods, and ancient woodland first mentioned in the doomsday records. Is it not better to stick together and stop this programme rather than take the “not in my backyard”? So you can add me to the fight against HS2. Let's together put a stop to HS2 and instead make our rail network a safe, comfortable, clean and economic network.
05/10/10 RJB Packington Hayes	Good day, (Subject: Hints Kink) This NEW proposed route change is ridiculous as the Army Ranges are not closed permanently at all, and have range wardens still employed to maintain them . The reason they are in tempory closure is logistics of ammunition supply and firing will resume at some stage for sure. This economy measure was used in the Falkland conflict too , and firing resumed . Huge investment has been made on this range , especially C range , which is fully automated . The ranges are used by Regular soldiers ,TA units , the police and a whole host or other interested parties. The proposed route also goes close to a listed building at Packington Hall ,which has just obtained planning permission for houses. The route is also going to affect many more homes than the proposed one by Aarup. This route change will be vigorously opposed .
22/08/10 LA	I would be very keen and willing to volunteer for these tasks, I have experience in the PR field and a number of local media and press contacts. I am a skilled and experienced self employed Administrator - so I have a lot of skills to offer you all. Perhaps I could meet up with one of you to discuss this further asap? I don't live in the village but I visit very regularly, many times a week - for walks, photography, painting etc. I am appalled at the proposals for HSR2 and really want to do all I can to support you and help.
06/04/10 RJ Canwell	Dear All, Should you need the input of a local Architect then please do not hesitate to contact me. I am completely incensed by this proposal and would like to be involved and contribute to the objections particularly as this proposal directly effects the landscape adjacent to my home for the past 10 years!
07/04/10 PB Hints	I have created a web site www.saynohs2.com. I can alter the site to include references that may well help your protest.
14/04/10 BM Hints	Hello - One very important group was not mentioned at the meeting in the village hall on 31 March – horse riders. Our area – the stretch of countryside between Sutton, Tamworth and Lichfield offers a wealth of bridleways and quiet lanes, bettered only by the open spaces of Sutton Park or Cannock Chase. The high speed rail link will cut through many bridleways (will the route provide suitable crossing points, one wonders?) and apart from upsetting some of the less steady mounts with the noise, speed and frequency, it will destroy the peace and quiet which riders enjoy. Although I am no longer involved in the horse world (after over 35 years in the saddle – 30 of these in Weeford & Hints) I thought it would be useful if I contacted the BHS to see what action they will be taking in connection with the HS2 proposals. Their email response is below.
	Response from British Horse Society.	The BHS is awaiting the official consultation process to start, and we are ready at both our headquarters, and within our regions, to respond Nationally. The BHS will no doubt issue their opinions after this consultation has been received, and will consult equestrians (through our usual channels of Bridleway Officers, BHS members, Affiliated Bridleway Groups and public channels) prior to issuing our official response. I hope this suffices, however please do not hesitate to speak to your local bridleway officer or us at HQ anytime we can help further
15/04/10 KC Hints	EMail to Christopher Pincher, Conservative Candidate - I was disappointed to hear David Cameron on the TV news outline his manifesto and include pressing on with the High Speed Rail link, which passes through my home village of Hints. This link is going to ruin a beautiful part of Staffordshire which is enjoyed by ramblers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as myself and other residents. I appreciate your attendance at the meeting inn Hints Village Hall, but if David supports the link what chance do we have of altering the plans?
	Response from C.P.	Many thanks for your email about the High Speed Link and David Cameron's interview - which I think was more about concept than specific proposals. The Conservative Party supports the concept of high speed rail services to improve transport links and get people out of their cars and off aeroplanes. However Theresa Villiers, the Shadow Transport Secretary, refused to be bounced into supporting the proposals tabled by the government last month and has reserved our position on the plans. I certainly will not support these proposals which will desecrate local countryside and blight homes. And nor will Michael Fabricant who before Parliament dissolved made clear he would not support the proposed route through our community. If I am elected I will lobby hard to get more sensible proposals that, for example, could make better use of the West Coast Mainline. Michael Fabricant met with the Department for Transport where he was told one of the key determinants of the current plan is the need for a straight line (the fact that the proposed line going through Hints is not straight but is a "bulge" seems to have passed them by). However, new hi tech trains tilt which obviates some of the need for a straight track to enhance speed. It is this sort of lateral thinking I believe we need and which I will support. I will also work with other MPs affected by the route to get change. I understand there was already a move toward this from some Conservative MPs before Parliament was dissolved. So to distill my points, the current plan is not supported by the Conservative Party and I personally will not support proposals that desecrate our local countryside. I hope this helps. I will keep you in touch with information I gather and please feel free to do likewise with me.
19/4/10 RJ Canwell	Herewith scanned copy of letters from Brian Jenkins MP and from Christopher Pincher which may be of interest. Editor's note: these letters have been added as links on the main HS2 news page.
1/4/10 RJ Canwell	Dear Philip Bradbourn OBE MEP, Michael Cashman MEP, Nicole Sinclaire MEP, Malcolm Harbour MEP, Mike Nattrass MEP and Liz Lynne MEP, You are no doubt aware of the Government's recent publication of the high speed rail route. Can you please confirm your thoughts on the devastating effects this will have upon the Bourne Brook valley and the village of Hints along with other areas of outstanding countryside?
	19/4/10 Response from Liz Lynne MEP	Thank you for your email. Whilst I am supportive of a High Speed rail link to the region, I understand that no one route will be ideal for everyone and am of course sympathetic to your concerns. This matter is essentially a national issue and so you may wish to contact your local MP and the Department of Transport to raise your concerns about the proximity of the proposed line to your area and to ascertain what plans there are for minimising the noise and other environmental effects on this route. You may also wish to highlight your concerns with your local Councillors. You can also find details of all your local representatives via the website www.writetothem.com. Yours sincerely,Liz Lynne MEP.
18/4/10 VJM Hints	Letter to Lichfield Mercury - click here to read
7/5/10 IS Lichfield	I live in Boley Park Lichfield. I run a small Frozen Food Manufacturing business on behalf of a Group of Companies. If there is anything I can do to help in your fight against this Blight happening to our countryside etc. please let me know. Please add me to your emailing list for any future meetings etc.