16.07.19
Rail leaders respond as HS2 vote passes
Members of Parliament have pushed phase 2a of HS2 through the House of Commons with 263 votes in favour to only 17 against.
The Phase 2a High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill, if passed through the House of Lords, will give the government and HS2 powers to build an extension of the high-speed line from the West Midlands to Crewe.
Rail leaders across the UK have defended the move as a “vote of confidence” for the project, claiming it will bring much-needed investment for parts of the country.
Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect, said: “This vote shows there is still resounding cross-party support to deliver HS2 in its entirety.
“The vast majority of MPs across the Midlands and the North know that high speed rail will bring jobs and investment to their constituencies.
“The vote sends a strong message to the next Prime Minister that political support for HS2 remains strong, and whoever replaces Theresa May in Downing Street next week must commit to the project unequivocally.
“Midlands Connect stands with business, our regional political leaders and the vast majority of our MPs, who all believe HS2 is vital to the Midlands’ social, economic and environmental future.”
Some MPs were dissapointed with the result, claiming that the project will cause major disruption to the areas they represent.
Former Labour leader and MP for Doncaster North, Ed Miliband, voiced his concerns about the rail route’s impact on his constituency.
Speaking in parliament, he said: “I am afraid that the Secretary of State’s statement will provoke deep anger among my constituents.
“Not just because of the local impact on them but because they believe, as I do, that this is the wrong choice for jobs, for regeneration, for connectivity and indeed for the ambitions of HS2 for South Yorkshire.”
(Picture: PA Images)