VILLAGERS have said those behind the HS2 railway scheme have “huge questions” to answer after the Government confirmed that it will go through their village.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced that the route of the scheme’s second phase will go through Church Fenton near Tadcaster.

Andrew Mason, a member of Church Fenton parish council and chairman of the local action group against the scheme said its members would be asking the project leaders why they had rejected the group’s alternative routes.

“We have huge questions to ask (the project leaders)” he said. “We want them to come out and answer why they didn’t consider this detailed worked out document.”

He said the mood in the village following the announcement was “totally disheartened” and that the consultation over the route had been a “sham” but the fight would go on.

Three households in the village have been listed for full compensation for the effect on their lives, but others, who m objectors say have lost £100,000 off the value of their homes because of the scheme, would only get £7,500.

“It’s a national joke except for those on the gravy train,” he said of the entire project which is opposed by nearly 100 local groups along its proposed route.

Villagers also believe it will lead to fewer lines at Church Fenton station and the loss of nearby Ulleskelf station and will ruin green belt country with a viaduct.

Phase 1 is due to open in December 2026 and will see trains travel between London and Birmingham before running on from Birmingham on the existing West Coast Main Line.

A second Y-shaped phase will then open in two stages.

Phase 2a from the West Midlands to Crewe will launch in 2027 and phase 2b, from Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Leeds, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, will open in 2033.

This is the phase affecting Church Fenton, where the new line will connect with the existing East Coast mainline, impacting on a number of properties - sparking protests from local residents.

Mr Grayling said he expected those affected to be treated with “fairness, compassion and respect”.

“It’s also important to say that I recognise that building major infrastructure will always be disruptive and disturbing for those living nearby,” he said.

He said the new railway line would benefit everyone, even people who did not directly use it. “Just as important as connectivity is the uplift that HS2 will deliver to our transport system,” he said. “It is not going to be a separate, stand alone railway but an integral part of our nation’s future rail network and overall transport infrastructure.

“It will add to the overall capacity of our congested railways. Even if you never travel on HS2 you stand to feel its benefits.

“By providing new routes for inter-city services, HS2 will free up space on our existing railways for new commuters, regional and freight services while also taking lorries off our roads.”

The benefits are disputed by objectors.