Boosting South West Railway Investment
Councillor Hannaford to move:
Council is concerned that the £56 billion HS2 rail scheme has little or no direct economic, social or infrastructure benefits for the South West region.
Council considers that the existing rail links between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester are already good, if not excellent, and in stark comparison to the far South West, that has dated and frail rail connections, that badly need new substantial strategic investment.
Council notes the recent report by the New Economics Foundation “A Rail Network For Everyone – Probing HS2 And Its Alternatives”, that includes rerouting the current HS2 funding to other regional rail improvements to improve local connectivity across the UK.
Council further notes other recent professional reports, representations and cross party discussions at Parliament, that have also recommended this move to invest in alternative railway investment away from HS2.
As part of this process Council supports that reallocation of HS2 funds for the following local projects;
· Improve connectivity to Bristol Temple Meads - to boost this transport hubs rail links - £125m
· Rebuild Cullompton Station – lost since 1964, connecting the town to Exeter and Bristol, in tandem with the proposed 5,000 new homes at the garden village - £15m
· Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton - to improve sustainability, resilience, and green travel, in line with the ongoing substantial new housing developments - £500m
· Cross Cornwall Rail Link – to improve links between East and West Cornwall - £125m.
· Reopen the Bodmin to Wadebridge railway line – to convert the community line back into more active service - £125m.
And the national scheme to build cycle paths next to motorways and A roads, to create 7,600 miles of new routes to boost cycling - £1.82bn.
Council resolves to make formal representations to the Parliamentary Transport Committee, the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor, the Prime Minister and all local Members of Parliament to support this reallocation of strategic infrastructure investment, and work with other key regional partners to move matters forward.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Hannaford MOVED and Councillor Ackland SECONDED
Council is concerned that the £56 billion HS2 rail scheme has little or no direct economic, social or infrastructure benefits for the South West region.
Council considers that the existing rail links between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester are already good, if not excellent, and in stark comparison to the far South West, that has dated and frail rail connections, that badly need new substantial strategic investment.
Council notes the recent report by the New Economics Foundation “A Rail Network For Everyone – Probing HS2 And Its Alternatives”, that includes rerouting the current HS2 funding to other regional rail improvements to improve local connectivity across the UK.
Council further notes other recent professional reports, representations and cross party discussions at Parliament, that have also recommended this move to invest in alternative railway investment away from HS2.
As part of this process Council supports that reallocation of HS2 funds for the following local projects;
· Improve connectivity to Bristol Temple Meads - to boost this transport hubs rail links - £125m
· Rebuild Cullompton Station – lost since 1964, connecting the town to Exeter and Bristol, in tandem with the proposed 5,000 new homes at the garden village - £15m
· Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton - to improve sustainability, resilience, and green travel, in line with the ongoing substantial new housing developments - £500m
· Cross Cornwall Rail Link – to improve links between East and West Cornwall - £125m.
· Reopen the Bodmin to Wadebridge railway line – to convert the community line back into more active service - £125m.
And the national scheme to build cycle paths next to motorways and A roads, to create 7,600 miles of new routes to boost cycling - £1.82bn.
Council resolves to make formal representations to the Parliamentary Transport Committee, the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor, the Prime Minister and all local Members of Parliament to support this reallocation of strategic infrastructure investment, and work with other key regional partners to move matters forward.
In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.