HS2 scrutinised by council board
Plans for Birmingham's multibillion-pound high-speed rail link have been put under the spotlight at a scrutiny meeting at Solihull Council.
Speakers for and against the proposal addressed the overview and scrutiny management board in a meeting this week.
Two members of the board, councillors Jim Ryan and David Bell, voted against the recommendation.
The meeting was held so the board could hear the views of all interested parties and feedback a recommendation to cabinet and then full council.
Following the meeting, the scrutiny board said it will propose to support the HS2 proposal proceeding to its next stage. However, it said it required a full consultation be carried out by the Department for transport (DfT) and HS2 on the environmental impact of the high-speed line.
It also sought to confirm that the design, construction and operation of HS2 will not incur any additional local burden on Solihull Council tax payers.
Solihull Council’s cabinet will discuss the board's recommendations and its response to HS2 on Monday (11 July).
