Over 100,000 People Say 'No' To HS2

Warwickshire MPs Dan Byles (North Warickshire & Bedworth) and Chris White
(Warwick & Leamington) today joined campaigners from across the country to
present a petition with some 108,000 names to 10 Downing Street calling for the
controversial High Speed Rail project to be scrapped.

Dan is a well known critic of the scheme, and has been instrumental in helping
to set up anti- HS2 action groups across North Warwickshire. He speaks regularly
in media and was successful in pushing for a full debate on HS2 to be held in
the House of Commons - which will take place this week on Thursday 13 Ocober.


Speaking from Downing Street today, Dan said:

"The fact that over 100,000 people have put their name to this petition shows
the strength of feeling over this issue. The next few months will be critical to
the HS2 debate. The Transport Select Committee will shortly publish their report
on the economic case for and against HS2, and soon afterwards the Secretary of
Sate for Transport will make an assessment of the recent public consultation and
will publish his recommendations.


"momentum is building, and that's why I fought hard for a debate on HS2 in the
main chamber of the House of Cmmons, and we will be holding that debate this
week. We need to make the case to MPs who don't believe HS2 affects them, from
Kent to Cornwall to East Anglian, that HS2 will be paid for by every household
in the country.

"I believe the arguments against spending £32 billion on HS2 are compelling. I
just hope the leaders of all three political parties - all of whom support HS2 -
are prepared to listen to them."