Yet more proof that we
can’t afford HS2…
If Britain can’t afford to improve its existing railway
infrastructure, how can it be expected to pay for the
multi-billion pound HS2 project?
infrastructure, how can it be expected to pay for the
multi-billion pound HS2 project?
That’s the question posed by UKIP’s Transport
spokesman Jill Seymour today, after it was revealed
that Network Rail is being forced to put a series of
improvements on hold.
spokesman Jill Seymour today, after it was revealed
that Network Rail is being forced to put a series of
improvements on hold.
Among the work being stalled through a shortage of
cash is the electrification of the Midland mainline, on
the Transpennine route between Leeds and Manchester.
cash is the electrification of the Midland mainline, on
the Transpennine route between Leeds and Manchester.
Mrs Seymour said: “Time and time again, the Government
has insisted that the £55 billion-plus HS2 project would not
impact on the financing of our existing railway infrastructure.
has insisted that the £55 billion-plus HS2 project would not
impact on the financing of our existing railway infrastructure.
“Now, however, it appears we’re starting to see the truth.
The Government is clearly tightening the purse strings
on our existing rail infrastructure to help fund its disgraceful
HS2 vanity project.”
The Government is clearly tightening the purse strings
on our existing rail infrastructure to help fund its disgraceful
HS2 vanity project.”
The West Midlands MEP added: “On one hand, the Secretary
of State points to the need to ensure that taxpayers’ money is
not being wasted – yet on the other, he presses ahead stubbornly
with a high-speed white elephant with an ever-inflating budget.
of State points to the need to ensure that taxpayers’ money is
not being wasted – yet on the other, he presses ahead stubbornly
with a high-speed white elephant with an ever-inflating budget.
“If Network Rail has been operating inefficiently and
overspending,
then it must naturally be brought into line. But let us make sure we
apply those exact same rules everywhere.
then it must naturally be brought into line. But let us make sure we
apply those exact same rules everywhere.
“HS2 is a politically driven project without a proven need.
It has no
proven business case, its costs seem to be going up by the week, and
people who live along the proposed route have already lost value on
their properties.
proven business case, its costs seem to be going up by the week, and
people who live along the proposed route have already lost value on
their properties.
“The Government may be getting tough with Network Rail’s
spending,
but it doesn’t even blink about racking up an HS2 debt which will take
generations to pay off, and which Britain simply cannot afford.”
but it doesn’t even blink about racking up an HS2 debt which will take
generations to pay off, and which Britain simply cannot afford.”
UKIP has always maintained that the HS2 ‘vanity project’
should be scrapped.
Mrs Seymour said: “It is destroying people’s lives and
their communities.
There are still unanswered questions on plans and costs, and yet it is still
moving forward against public wishes. It will only be supporting a minority,
at the expense of the majority.
There are still unanswered questions on plans and costs, and yet it is still
moving forward against public wishes. It will only be supporting a minority,
at the expense of the majority.
“What passengers want is an affordable, comfortable,
reliable and efficient
rail network system that delivers from south to north, and east to west. We
already have a network in place which is desperate for improvement.
rail network system that delivers from south to north, and east to west. We
already have a network in place which is desperate for improvement.
“The Government has got its rail transport priorities
completely wrong.
Investment should be targeted towards rail links which benefit the
majority, not the minority.”
Investment should be targeted towards rail links which benefit the
majority, not the minority.”
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See more at:
http://jillseymourukip.org/yet-more-proof-that-we-cant-afford-hs2/#sthash.OwCH10J2.dpuf
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