OPPONENTS of a new high-speed rail line, set to run through a North Yorkshire village, are to put their case before Selby District Council.

The proposed HS2 high-speed rail line aims to invest in transport away from London, with a spur linking York to the route via the East Coast main line through the outskirts of Church Fenton, near Tadcaster, in the Selby district.

Under the proposed plans, a number of properties would be demolished, with many more affected by the line running so close to homes.

Representatives of the village will tonight voice their concerns at a full council meeting in Selby.

Andrew Mason, of campaign group Church Fenton Against HS2, said his group was not against improvements to the travel network, and he would speak to the council and give a presentation on the local opposition to the scheme.

He said: “Our argument has never been about our backyard. We don’t want it in anybody’s backyard.

“We are very much in favour of economic growth and want to see infrastructure spend but want to see it here and now, on road network and flood defences, but we don’t want it decided by London-centric organisation.”

Mr Mason said he felt the policy was flawed and the public should not put up with the increasing cost and risk to homes that the scheme presents.

He said: “There’s no mechanism for people to find out more apart from groups like ours, talking to other groups around the country. There’s a huge number of people interested in it out there, but I’ve yet to speak to one person who thinks it’s a good idea.

“There’s a serious impact, there are 500,000 homes up and down the length of this line who are blighted because they can’t sell their homes and are distraught by it. The personal and private cost is not factored in anywhere.”