Measham District Councillor Sean Sheahan says the cancellation of HS2 through North West Leicestershire has brought relief to thousands of local residents who were threatened with years of noise and disruption if the new high speed rail line had gone ahead.

Cllr Sheahan has actively campaigned against the high speed rail line, which was to have followed the path of the A42 past Measham and Ashby de la Zouch on its originally-planned route to Leeds.

Even when the Leeds leg was abandoned, HS2 was still due to pass through the region on its way to East Midlands Parkway near Nottingham.

The Labour leader on North West Leicestershire District Council said: "It's been hanging over us for more than a decade, with many families having to make difficult decisions about whether to move home.

"Whereas the cancellation is good news for many, for those who have sold their house to the Government to make way for HS2, it might feel like it's all been for nothing.

"As I understand it, they will be offered first refusal on buying their former homes back, but that's another agonising decision and yet more disruption."

Speaking to Nub News in 2021, Cllr Sheahan said: "The rumours about the eastern leg of HS2 have been circulating for weeks.

"But all of this just confirms what we have known for years - the business plan is hopelessly flawed.

Measham councillor Sean Sheahan. Photo: Supplied

"The Government needs to face up to this, abandon its plans and come forward with credible, alternative rail investment proposals."

In 2022, in a submission to the Integrated Rail Plan, he said: "The best way to achieve an equitable outcome from the IRP within the East Midlands and between the East and West Midlands, eg. Leicester to Burton, is to sit down with local stakeholders, put the money on the table, and design the projects that people want.

"This would contrast with the previous approach, where the line was driven straight through communities, purely in the interests of speed.

"The end result was years wasted, whole communities blighted and in the case of Measham, the Government changing its mind on the route, before changing it back...and still not getting it right."

Speaking this week, Cllr Sheahan said: "The Government promised to change its approach, starting by leaving the money on the table - £36 billion of it.

"It remains to be seen what portion of that can be reallocated for popular schemes like the Ivanhoe Line and the completion of the electrification of the Midland Main Line."

Kegworth Councillor, Carol Sewell added: "The close proximity of HS2 to Kegworth, with a planned, huge, electricity substation and a fly-over at the North Western edge of the village entrance would have been ugly and unwelcoming.

"Knowing the route is to be scrapped will release housing land together with much needed sports pitches on the western side of the village.

"It never made any sense to people in our area that the route didn't connect up with East Midlands Airport.

"However, if properly routed it would have had huge benefits for the north and it would be welcome for the electrification of the Midland Mainline to still take place."