Petition An HS2 Rail Station for Stoke on Trent

Stoke on Trent the UK’S 13th largest City, with a 470,000 population in the greater Stoke on Trent catchment area, has been overlooked in the Government's proposed HS2 route, this will result in a reduction of direct trains between Stoke on Trent, and London, an increase in Journey times and ultimate economic downturn for the region.
Stoke on Trent City Council have submitted an alternate HS2 route including an HS2 Station in Stoke on Trent.
The proposal saves £5.2 billion, delivers the benefits to Manchester 7 years earlier than the proposed route with no loss of journey time or connectivity.
Stoke on Trent's proposal creates less environmental damage saving 80 KM of new build HS2 route by utilising the current West Coast Main Line alignment and offers an overall route 19 KM shorter.
This petition demands that the Government's current proposed route is abandoned and that the Stoke on Trent City Council alternate route, including a Station in Stoke on Trent is accepted.