MPs have said that there is a ‘good case’ for the HS2 high speed rail link between London and Birmingham, although their report, issued this week, provided ammunition for both sides of the debate.
The House of Commons Transport Committee has described the £32 billion scheme, which would cut the journey time to 50 minutes, as offering a “new era of inter-urban travel in Britain”. Committee chairman, Louise Ellman (Lab) described the scheme as affordable and likely to provide a "step change" in the quality and frequency of inter-city travel.
But the endorsements were not without provisos.
The route is proposed as the first stage of a Y-shaped network linking London and Birmingham and then branching off to Manchester and Leeds. In its report, the transport committee said ministers must “firmly commit" to this second stage before seeking parliamentary approval for the London to Birmingham route.
MPs also said that what should have been a serious and factually-based debate had "too often been reduced to name-calling” and said government must “desist from disparaging opponents as nimbys". And they said investment in HS2 must not lead to rail cutbacks elsewhere
Critics of the scheme quoted passages in the report which suggested the economic benefits of the project had not been made completely clear, while carbon reduction credentials were said “not to stand up to scrutiny”. The case for including Heathrow as part of the line had not been properly explained and there were also doubts on whether a quoted 18 trains an hour frequency would be feasible.
For the NFU, the key factor in assessing the scheme is the impact on the best and most versatile farm land and on food production in this country, which is a key component of a sustainable economy.
- Read our response to the government consultation here.
- Visit our HS2 channel here.
The NFU expects a further announcement on HS2 before the Christmas recess (w/c December 12).
No comments have been made.