HS2 Action Alliance Blog

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If the new Secretary of State for Transport is to be consistent in her views on major transport infrastructure projects, when she announces her decision on HS2 in December here are her possible responses.

“Much of what I have said comes down to democracy. Ministers have said that we should not vote on such matters. … Many hon. Members feel that [HS2] has such profound consequences for the day-to-day lives of their constituents that they view it as similarly important. We have had a consultation, to which residents have responded overwhelmingly by saying that they do not want the plan to go ahead. Despite all those points, Ministers still seek to override people’s will. That is deeply worrying.”

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-01-28b.299.1&s=heathrow+speaker%3A11771#g341.3

“The Government are isolated on this issue, and Ministers must ask themselves what is more important—saving face and sticking with a bad decision, or having the courage to admit that this is wrong, and change course. It is time to listen to the [55,000] people, including my constituents, who responded with their grave concerns to the consultations.”

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-11-11c.641.0&s=heathrow+speaker%3A11771#g724.1

Sadly there is no guarantee that her response will be consistent with her previous statements.. Ten years ago the former Secretary of State of Transport, Philip Hammond, thought hybrid bills were undemocratic and inappropriate for a major transport project. But then that was concerning a railway to carry freight that was to run through his constituency and he was in opposition.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010306/halltext/10306h04.htm

Author: Jerry Marshall, AGAHST