The Independent, which sadly publishes its last Sunday edition today, reports that Jeremby Corbyn and John McDonnell, despite earlier opposition, will whip Labour MPs to support the HS2 Bill when it goes to the House of Commons on Tuesday LINK
The newspaper reports that Sir Keir Starmer, Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a fierce opponent of HS2, may be persuaded to support the Bill via a Labour amendment that would protect social housing around Euston and mitigate construction disruption. Starmer was opposed at the General Election by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. The Greens oppose HS2.
In the South Kilburn Estate opposition arose when Brent Council who are in favour of HS2, persuaded HS2 to move a vent shaft to a site right next to St Mary's Primary School on the Estate. LINK
Pete Firmin gave evidence on behalf of South Kilburn residents to the Select Committee. LINK
Kensal Triangle Residents Association have been vehemently against the project.
Corbyn raised issues around HS2 and its impact on other necessary rail projects as recently as last October LINK leading to this comment from the Stop HS2 Camapign:
Stop HS2 Campaign Manager Joe Rukin responded:
The newspaper reports that Sir Keir Starmer, Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a fierce opponent of HS2, may be persuaded to support the Bill via a Labour amendment that would protect social housing around Euston and mitigate construction disruption. Starmer was opposed at the General Election by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. The Greens oppose HS2.
In the South Kilburn Estate opposition arose when Brent Council who are in favour of HS2, persuaded HS2 to move a vent shaft to a site right next to St Mary's Primary School on the Estate. LINK
Pete Firmin gave evidence on behalf of South Kilburn residents to the Select Committee. LINK
Kensal Triangle Residents Association have been vehemently against the project.
Corbyn raised issues around HS2 and its impact on other necessary rail projects as recently as last October LINK leading to this comment from the Stop HS2 Camapign:
Stop HS2 Campaign Manager Joe Rukin responded:
“It is a breath of fresh air to have a party leader who is actually trying to assess what the real-world implications of HS2 would be, opposed to simply swallowing the spin put forward by proponents. It has been clear since the outset that spending such a vast amount of money on HS2 would only mean other, more deserving projects will be squeezed out, and even the Department for Transport have admitted that HS2 could suck up all the rail investment money.”
“Following the on-off and now delayed status of some rail upgrades, there is still the Hendy report to come which will surely cut back on other projects. In this climate, we simply cannot see Mr Corbyn getting the guarantee he seeks.”
“With the costs of HS2 set to spiral when they are finally worked out on current prices, there is no way other projects can be guaranteed. We welcome the fact Mr Corbyn is seriously looking at the implications of HS2, and remind him that if he finds the project to be deficient, it can be stopped when the bill comes back for third reading.”
