A PROPOSAL for where the East Midlands station for HS2 will be built will not be made until next year, the Government has said.
The news comes after the Chamber of Commerce for the East Midlands said that the lack of a decision over HS2's route and station in the region was creating "doubt and uncertainty" for business.
A station had been planned for Toton but a report from HS2 project chairman, Sir David Higgins, has revealed there are now "question marks" over whether it is the best choice.
Rumours continue to circulate that a station could be built "near Breaston" but one Erewash borough councillor for the village, councillor Margaret Orchard OBE, has described the suggestion as a "joke".
She guessed that the idea might be to build the station near St Chad's Church, Church Wilne, but said that would involve building over greenfield sites and on a floodplain.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Decisions on taking HS2 Phase Two forward will be made in 2015.
"As has always been the case with HS2, if any changes were suggested to the proposed route, then a formal consultation might need to be launched to seek the views of the public and stakeholders on those proposals."
Sir David's report said a station to the west of Toton is now being looked at with the aim of finding a place which can provide better road and rail connections via the M1 and Midland Mainline.
Chris Hobson is the head of information and representation for the Chamber of Commerce which covers Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
He said that a definite announcement for where the station could go would be a factor in attracting new businesses to the area.
But he said the current limbo was not helping.
Mr Hobson said: "The report confirms the need for a hub in the East Midlands but has failed to address the location and connectivity issues, leaving huge doubts about where the hub might be located and how much work is going to be needed to deliver the connectivity for the whole region to benefit economically.
"It hasn't said that Toton, the initial choice for the East Midlands hub, is the wrong location, but that other sites to the west of Toton will now be considered.
"In his speech, Sir David said only that 'we should be certain on the location of the East Midlands station as soon as possible'. This indecision is prolonging doubt and uncertainty for business.
"It's vital that all interested parties in the region put aside local differences and come together to ensure HS2 hub station can deliver for the whole region and it's crucial that local business is given the opportunity to feed into the development of HS2 to ensure the region reaps maximum benefit."
Meanwhile, Erewash Conservative MP Jessica Lee has said she wants to work closely with HS2 to ensure the location for the station and track "protects homes".
She said: "Broadly speaking it is an exciting opportunity to have the East Midlands Hub in the area.
"I believe this has great regeneration opportunities for Long Eaton, as well as the wider local area, however we will work closely with local residents, businesses and HS2 Ltd to identify a location that protects homes, whilst also ensuring that we get the full benefits of the scheme."
Ms Lee added that people in Long Eaton who had, 15 months ago, been sent letters saying their homes could be the subject of Compulsory Purchase Orders to make way for the Toton route.
She said: "Now they don't know what the future holds."
Mrs Orchard said she still believed Toton was the best option as it would not involve developing on so much "beautiful green land".
She said: "I don't say it's all green-belt around Breaston but there's an awaful lot of it and then you've got think of things like road transport infrastructure for the station.
"One might think any suggestion that it could be built near Breaston was a joke."
Rupert Brennan-Brown, a spokesman for Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, said that "a station closer to Derby would make sense".
He said: "The key challenge is to ensure there's a proper link into the Midland Mainline. Without that the new station will be very limited.
"Clearly moving the station closer to Derby offers significant benefits to the city and county, including in terms of journey times."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
