Latest News

Latest

• UKIP unveils another Mayor!
• Fight for the right to be insulting!
• Marta on The Record Europe
• Laughter at our expense
• When a wine is not a wine
• London Assembly Results
• Latest Super Constituency results
• Sanjay's first Sovereign Draw winner!
• Legal query on minimum pricing

London-Birmingham rail link hits buffers

Friday, 17th September 2010

A new report which claims the proposed creation of a multi-billion pound high speed rail network is ‘needed’ and is a ‘tremendously appealing’ prospect for the country has been attacked by UKIP transport spokesman Mike Nattrass.

The West Midlands MEP, who is a member of the EU’s Transport & Tourism Committee, says it is clear there is a growing groundswell of opposition to the proposed creation of the High Speed Rail Link between Birmingham and London.
 
In their new report entitled High Speed Rail: Fair and Affordable, Greengauge 21 state 78 per cent of people in Britain believe high speed rail is essential for the country’s future.
 
The report states: “The prospect of a high-speed rail network for Britain is a tremendously appealing and exciting one.
 
“Across the nation, there is support for the creation of a high-speed rail network, linking together our major cities.”
 
But, commenting on the report this week, Mr Nattrass said is was clear that people, particularly in rural communities which lie in the path of the proposed high speed rail line between London and Birmingham, are vehemently opposed to the multi-billion pound venture which would destroy the countryside to shave just minutes off rail journey times.
 
Last Saturday, Mike Nattrass and protestors against the proposed HS2 rail link, took part in a walk along its envisaged route in Warwickshire to show the strength of opposition to the scheme.
 
Commenting on the new Greengauge 21 report, Mr Nattrass said it was clear from the success of last Saturday’s walk between Offchurch and Ufton Woods, that the rail link is not wanted.
 
He added the rail link would be a costly catastrophe which would be traced back to the EU which is trying to force through the creation of Trans European Transport Networks which would be under the control of interfering Brussels bureaucrats who want to introduce pay-as-you-go travel on British roads.
 
Mr Nattrass said: “It is clear there is massive opposition against the HS2 scheme which would destroy the countryside and communities. This is too heavy a price to pay to cut just minutes off rail journey times.
 
“We should instead invest in our existing services and infrastructure and promote greater transport of goods on rail."

Back to Latest News