South Leicestershire MP, Alberto Costa, has secured a Parliamentary debate to raise local concerns about plans for the 850,000 sq.m Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) proposed for construction close to the village of Elmesthorpe.
The debate is due to take place on Tuesday 14th June at 4pm in Westminster Hall in Parliament. The MP has previously been vocal in raising concerns about the site’s impact on the local environment, the large increase in HGVs and the potential repercussions for Narborough Railway Station and its level crossing.
Previously, Alberto sent a survey to over 11,000 constituents in the Fosse Villages of Elmesthorpe, Stoney Stanton, Sapcote, Sharnford, Croft, Huncote, Aston Flamville, Potters Marson and Wigston Parva to ask for their views on the development and he also led a debate in Parliament on the plans in February 2020.
The MP has also joined the Leader of Blaby District Council, Cllr Terry Richardson, in criticising the recent consultation carried out by developers Tritax Symmetry as local people had complained about the lack of detail from Tritax and their lack of preparation in being able to answer questions about the proposals.
Alberto said, “I am looking forward to once again raising the very understandable concerns many of my constituents have over the plans for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange. This is a gargantuan development that would concrete over beautiful South Leicestershire countryside, and with the associated huge increase of HGV movements, it has real potential to overwhelm the local infrastructure of the neighbouring Fosse Villages”.
Blaby District Councillor for the Stanton & Flamville Ward and Chairman of Sharnford Parish Council, Mike Shirley, added, “'As chairman of Sharnford Parish Council and a Blaby District Councillor representing the area of the proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange, I am pleased that Alberto Costa MP is giving this development the highest priority. This development is not needed and will be detrimental to the rural area and surrounding villages'
Alberto concluded, “I share my constituent’s considerable disappointment at the lack of detail and expertise displayed by the developers during the recent consultation process; it was clear that this did very little to address local people’s concerns, and therefore this debate is an important opportunity to ensure that the voices of my constituents are heard at the very highest levels.
This site has the potential to cause a significant degree of disruption for residents across South Leicestershire, not only in terms of the extra traffic from HGVs, but also in extending the time the level crossing is down for residents in Narborough, so there are many important questions which need to be answered and I look forward to putting these to the Minister on Tuesday afternoon”.
Alberto is pictured speaking in the House of Commons Chamber.
