Although the eastern leg of HS2 affecting our canal was officially scrapped in 2021, the safeguarding of the land has remained in place despite annual promises that it would be removed.
This has meant that our restoration plans, especially the work currently taking place at Staveley (click here) could theoretically be stopped or severely disrupted.
This uncertainty has now been resolved with an announcement from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on 17th July.
As part of the latest six monthly report to Parliament on HS2, Alexander stated the safeguarding of land for the route has formally been lifted.
“I am today formally lifting the safeguarding directions for the former Phase 2b Eastern Leg (between the West Midlands and Leeds), removing the uncertainty that has affected many people along the former route,” she said.
Thus the blight of HS2 has finally been lifted 4554 days since the original route announcement.
