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MPs line up to oppose high-speed rail plan
A CONSERVATIVE transport think tank has blasted the Government’s high-speed rail plan, branding it “flawed” and warning it will split the party.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has travelled the country to voice the case for the £32bn network, receiving backing from business leaders and transport groups throughout the Midlands and the North. Research published by engineers Arup and economics consultancy Volterra has claimed that one million jobs rely on the investment in HS2 – the high-speed rail network.
However, the Government has been under significant pressure from its own MPs and party donors – some of whom have threatened to withdraw funding – because the first stage of the line travels through the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. Now the Conservative Transport Group, which is not party funded, has claimed 20 backbench MPs are opposed to the line.
The group’s report said the Government had “broadly adopted the Labour Government’s proposal”, describing it as a “fundamentally flawed scheme”.
It added: “The Conservative Party is facing an unparalleled political problem if it maintains its support for a HS2 line through the widest part of the Chilterns AONB. Cabinet Ministers are under siege locally from new opposition movements which have in turn secured significant financial amounts from local Conservative Associations.
“Coupled with opposition from the Conservative Mayor of London a more southern trajectory, with seamless interlining at Heathrow, as supported by the Conservative Party in opposition, represents a potential political opportunity for the party to avoid further division.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The Government believes a new high speed rail network would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redraw Britain’s economic map, bringing our major cities closer together.
“The Government is considering the responses to the consultation and will announce a decision on HS2 towards the end of the year.”
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moonshot
Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 04:57 PMAs per usual, Eggshell peddling out mis information just like the rest of the stopHS2 nimbys. The detail of the route north of Birmingham has yet to be worked out, its actually part of HS2s remit and will be completed next year. However we do know that Leeds and Manchester are the key points on this route, possibly Sheffield as well. The main selling point of HS2 overall is the huge increase in capacity on the network that it brings......which is quite poignant considering that a report has been released by the ORR today pointing out that overcrowding is getting worse, and in actual fact , highlights Leeds itself as the second worse area for this. Have a look at this link .....http:www.bbc.co.uknewsuk-england-london-14491488. If ever there was proof that new investment is needed in the network, then this is it. You cannot hide from cold hard facts!!! As it happens , I myself cannot post this on the stopHS2 website as I have been banned after humiliating a few of the main protaganists, who all seem to be based along the route of HS2.
egg shell
Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 12:54 PMPlease write to your M.P. to let him know how wrong it is for them to be spendingYOUR money as a tax payer ,on this scheme.The consultation may be closed but more and more are now beginning to see the numerous flaws in this scheme.MR Hammond was Trying very hard to sell it to those north of Birmingham but not telling where it would run meant that a clear balanced oppinion of the negatives to it could be formed .You can still add your name to the petition on STOP HS2 Just a few lines on a postcard if ou havent time to write much or an E.mail
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