From BBC News:

HS2 route in Digbeth could mean ‘bodies are exhumed’

Bodies from an old burial ground in Birmingham might have to be exhumed as part of plans for the government’s high-speed rail network.

Photo: BBC News

Under the plans, the Curzon Street terminal would be built on Park Street in Digbeth, a 19th Century graveyard. There are 25 gravestones on the site which was last used as a burial ground in the late 1800s and is currently used as a recreational space.

Mike Hodder from the city council said: “Every effort would have to be made to contact relatives and inform them of the disturbance.”

A statement from HS2 said: “As part of our work on designing the new station we are meeting with the council, community representatives and other interested parties to examine how to keep disruption to sites such as the historic Park Street burial ground to a minimum.”

Mr Hodder, Birmingham City Council’s planning archaeologist, said: “The remains would have to be removed and archaeologists would have to contact any living relatives, it would be similar to what happened when the Bull Ring was built.”

Is it just me or is HS2 seeming more and more like a whole load of effort for not much journey time saving? HS2 have, however, been keeping to their word to meet with the community, and sent the below letter to Digbeth Residents Association.

Digbeth-based architect and supporter of DRA, Joe Holyoak, attended the first HS2 Community Forum. If you are interested in attending the next, make sure to email community.forums@hs2.gsi.gov.uk

HS2 Community Forums

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