A local MP has accused HS2 of treating local residents with contempt as it "rips up villages" and "blights areas of outstanding natural beauty".

Speaking in the House of Commons last week, MP for Meriden Saqib Bhatti said residents were being forced to pay for HS2's "arrogance, complacency and incompetence" as the developer "wilfully ignores" them.

The Conservative MP also called for plans for the 425-metre viaduct in Balsall Common to be withdrawn and redesigned, labelling the proposed structure as "a big concrete monstrosity".

"It is not too late to fix this. I have already objected to the planning application, but HS2 can withdraw it and come up with better plans," he said. 

"If it loses the planning application, it will simply result in further delays. 

"Let us fix this before it gets to that. We need to demand that HS2 Ltd comes back with better plans.

"It will move on from my village and my communities and they will be left with ugly concrete blocks for decades if we do not do anything."

Mr Bhatti did admit that the new rail line would leave his constituency as one of the "best-connected parts of the country" and create thousands of jobs at Arden Cross and the interchange station.

But he said works on the line should only be allowed with "viable, sustainable and acceptable solutions".

He added: "The fact is, my constituents are being very reasonable. They have already sacrificed so much.

"All they ask is that HS2 work with them, rather than against them, to ensure that the viaduct can fit with the local area and character and, ultimately, look beautiful. It can be done."

In response rail minister Huw Merriman said the way HS2 works is constantly being monitored.

"I want HS2 to be an example to other transport projects, not just in what it delivers, but in the way it is delivered, and I recognise that that means making improvements, learning from experience and changing how we operate in order to become better, and I am committed to HS2 Ltd doing that," he added. 

"Limiting construction impacts in the first place should be a primary concern for all working on HS2, but so should treating people and places with the respect they deserve and ensuring that any impacts are mitigated or avoided when not required."

(Header image via gov.uk)