Dan Byles MP Makes The Case Against High Speed Rail

MP's Debate High Speed Rail

Dan Byles, local MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth and a long standing critic of High Speed Rail 2, this week spoke passionately against the project during a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament, and reiterated his call for a full debate in the Chamber of the House of Commons in which all MPs could take part.

Three backbench MPs, Dan Byles (North Warwickshire, Conservative), Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire, Conservative) and Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West, Labour), had called for the Westminster Hall debate and were finally granted it on Thursday by the influencial Backbench Businbess Committee.

Dan highlighted detailed economic analysis by the University of Barcelona of existing High Speed Rail Systems in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Japan which showed evidence that high speed rail systems can drain economic activity away from regional cities such as Birmingham and towards the plargest city on the network, such as London. He called for a full and independent analysis of the evidence before the end of the consultation period.

Speaking after the debate, Dan said:

“I was pleased that we were able to secure this debate, and pleased at the strong interest shown by MPs from all Parties. There were some strong views on both sides of the debate, and it was interesting how those views crossed Party boundaries.

“I think we demonstrated clearly that there are questions to be answered over the business case, and that more research needs to be done into the economic effect that high speed rail systems have had in other countries in Europe. We have also demonstrated the need for a full debate in the main Chamber of the House of Commons, and I think we will now get that debate.

“I am delighted that the Select Committee have agreed to hold an inquiry into the economic case for HS2, and I will be submitting evidence to the committee that I believe they should consider.

“In the meantime, I urge local people who are concerned about this project to take part in the consultation that is running until the end of July. There are details about the consultation, and some of the arguments against HS2, on my website: www.danbyles.com”.