MPs should work together for region’s benefit

I WAS pleased to see an official of East Coast stating that passenger numbers had increased considerably in recent months, and they were confident of building on this with increased services (Yorkshire Post, February 25).

It would seem to many people, myself included, that to spend £32bn on HS2 taking up much valuable farming land in the hope of saving 30 minutes in 15 years’ time on the journey from Leeds to London does not make economic sense, and nor is it necessary.

What is desirable is a much improved trans-Pennine service linking up the many major industrial and commercial town and city in the North of England which have a vital role to play in the future prosperity of the country.

The existing rail links have scope for expansion and improvement to pull together these strands. To achieve this, all the MPs in the areas involved need to suspend their party political posturings and join forces to push central Government on the wider picture.

The fragmented approach which has existed for far too long has achieved nothing of real value at great cost to us all.

While I am certainly not advocating a regional government for the North, I feel there is much to be gained by MPs coming together and fighting for measures of common interest to us all – such as transport and providing a reliable, low carbon energy system by ditching onshore wind farms in favour of CCS at Hatfield, Drax, Ferrybridge and Eggborough power stations.