Swynnerton landowner 'delighted' HS2 northern leg scrapped

Residents on a historic countryside estate have praised the decision to cancel the northern leg of HS2.

The high speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester was set to cut through swathes of land on Swynnerton Estates in Staffordshire.

But on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak confirmed he was scrapping the second phase due to huge costs and delays.

"We're delighted we don't have to deal with HS2," said estate manager Ben Fitzherbert.

With the exception of local authorities, Swynnerton Estates, near Stone, was the largest chunk of land in the country set to be affected by the project's planned route between Birmingham and Crewe.

The estate dates back to the 11th century, when the Stafford family were granted the land by William the Conqueror.

Mr Fitzherbert said the announcement meant they could continue to look after the estate, which would remain "sacrosanct."

"And then from a business perspective, this uncertainty that has been hanging over us for a very very long time," he explained.

"We can now crack on and plan and do things."

People living near planned HS2 construction works in the region had also raised concerns over air quality, noise and traffic.

But Sara Williams, from Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, said she felt "really angry" over the the decision to scrap the second leg of the project.

"Businesses are asked to make decisions for the long-term future all the time - they build on what they expect government to deliver," she said.

"What trust do we have in politicians making decisions for our long-term future?"

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