Justine Greening Letter

Towards the end of last year Aylesbury Conservative Association Chairman, Cllr Steve Bowles, wrote to Transport Secretary Justine Greening regarding HS2, the text of his letter is below.

Steve has now recieved a response to his letter.

Dear Secretary of State,

In Aylesbury our Association has very serious concerns with regard to the proposal for HS2 between London and the North, indeed the ward which I represent, Wendover and Halton, is one of the areas most affected by this proposal. 

The recent Transport Select Committee report into HS2 whilst supporting the development of high speed rail in the UK, highlighted major flaws in the business plan and environmental impact of the scheme as put forward by HS2 Limited. The committee also states that routes alongside motorways travelling at a slower speed were prematurely ruled out. The report recommends that no decision on HS2 should be made until a comprehensive appraisal has been undertaken on the full Y route. 

Given our current economic situation I would contend that £32 billion (a cost of £51 million to every parliamentary constituency) would be better directed toward improving existing infrastructure e.g. rail package 2. A portion of this sum could also be used to deliver tax cuts which would provide a stimulus to the economy and ease the tax burden on the lower paid and  the middle section of our society, as well as spending on education, health and other services which are being cut at this time.

If this project proceeds in its current format I am extremely concerned that it could directly affect our party at both a local and national level.

 I argue that HS2 is grossly expensive at a time when the country can least afford it as we try to redress the huge deficit left by the previous Government and there is no absolutely business or environmental case to support it.

Taking into account the misgivings of the Transport Select Committee I would ask you to call for a complete review of the High Speed Rail programme and to consider the alternatives to HS2 such as Rail Package 2.

I very much look forward to hearing from you

Cllr Steve Bowles

Aylesbury Constituency Conservative Association Chairman