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Andrea Leadsom South Northants MP Disappointed at Mawhinney Report On HS2 High Speed Rail Link

Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire has said she is, ‘disappointed’ by Lord Mawhinney’s report into the best route for the proposed high speed rail line.

The report, which was published on Wednesday, 21 July 2010, concludes that a proposal that the route should run via Heathrow ‘should not be pursued’ and that the proposed route which would cut through South Northamptonshire should remain the preferred route. However, Andrea has said she has been, ‘reassured’ by Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Transport. Mr Hammond said he would, ‘carefully consider Lord Mawhinney’s recommendations alongside further work by High Speed 2 and will announce conclusions later this year.’

Andrea praised the work of the South Northamptonshire Action Group (SNAG) and all residents of South Northamptonshire who are fighting so hard for the best deal for the area. Andrea explained that she, like many of her constituents, is not against a high speed rail link but is determined to see a sensible route and an appropriate speed of the trains agreed upon. Andrea said that despite Lord Mawhinney’s report, ‘I believe that there is a chance the route may change and I am increasingly confident that the speed of the train and hence the possibility for good mitigation is negotiable.’

Back in June Andrea took part in a Westminster Hall debate that sought to establish the Government’s level of commitment to high speed rail, she has also been writing letters and asking questions of the Secretary of State for Transport and his Ministers at every opportunity and had a productive meeting with Theresa Villiers MP, Minister for Transport on Tuesday 13 July.

Andrea also recently attended a public meeting in Brackley, which was arranged by SNAG, in order to update residents on the plans for high speed rail. She has also had a meeting with the construction firm ARUP who are working with HS2 but who have also put forward their own alternative proposal for a route which would see the line link up with Heathrow and would follow a different route to Birmingham. Andrea said she was impressed with the case they put forward and was very keen that the Secretary of State considers their proposal.

Andrea has also announced that on behalf of the many HS2 action groups up and down the line, she will be sponsoring a Lobby Day in Westminster in October around the time of the Spending Review. ‘I hope to be allocated an extremely large committee room in the ballot that takes place this week. Watch this space!’

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