HS2 South Yorkshire campaigners submit alternative report

An alternative HS2 report has been submitted by campaigners angry about the rail route plan through Yorkshire.

In July, a proposal via Meadowhall was changed to a route through the Dearne Valley, with a Sheffield spur line.

The Yorkshire Communities Report handed to Sheffield City Council and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, claims the government is being "misled" by HS2.

HS2 Ltd had said the route would "dramatically improve" journeys between the Midlands, north England and London.

But, campaigners say the official report into the new route is "untrue, un-researched and misleading".

Public consultation will begin once Mr Grayling announces the preferred route.

HS2's new route would see a high-speed line passing between Rotherham and Doncaster and plans for a Meadowhall station were scrapped in favour of a stop in Sheffield city centre.

Affected residents commissioned an 83-page report to challenge points including figures for demolition, noise pollution and cost.

The report proposes alternative routes, including a variation of the old Meadowhall plan and another to the west of Barnsley.

HS2 Ltd said its new route had a lower impact on the area.

But, Paul Griffiths, of HS2 Ltd, said no more information would be released until the secretary or state has announced his decision, which is expected later this month.

Mr Griffiths said housing demolition figures would be released only at that point.

Benefits 'a fiction'

Jonathan Pile, of Yorkshire Against HS2, said: "It's been months and months of work, working out in detail which houses would be demolished, subject to compulsory purchase, and really taking apart the faults in the Higgins report, external.

"This route for South Yorkshire doesn't deliver the promised benefits, all those promised jobs and benefits are a fiction."

He said the report addresses "false statements" by HS2 Ltd.