Last week HS2 came to see me just hours before publicly announcing a new route that goes right through the heart of our area. I made it clear to them that I am deeply unhappy with their plans, and that I will vote against them in Parliament if necessary.

Our community now has two sets of proposals hanging over our heads. If either go ahead, they will blight our area for years, creating noise and disruption, and putting the security of our homes in question. Yet HS2 promises to bring little benefit to our community, and does nothing to provide much-needed improvements to local transport links.

As your Member of Parliament, I oppose these recommendations and plan to actively campaign against HS2 in this area which I believe will have dire consequences for our people and our communities.