Sunday 5 August 2012

HS2 - a political football

The last Labour government supported HS2 and the two Coalition parties support the proposal.  For the Conservatives the value of the proposal was that it enabled a promise to be made of no additional runway at Heathrow, which doubtless persuaded some residents of West London to vote Tory.

Although the Coalition has reiterated its support for HS2 forces opposed to the new railway are gathering strength.  The Treasury is not convinced the scheme offers value for money, people/councils on the proposed route have been granted judicial review  and the airlines are still pressing for more runway capacity in the south-east.    The brewing storm will have adverse political consequences for Conservative MPs with seats in West London or on the proposed HS2 route.

Hence the following article comes as no surprise.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9451726/Former-Tory-transport-ministers-attack-Coalition-over-Heathrow-and-HS2.html

See also:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9431123/High-speed-train-opponents-granted-court-hearing.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9469344/HS2-route-should-be-moved-to-M40-corridor-says-high-speed-rail-expert.html




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