As a North Warwickshire resident, I have been campaigning against HS2 since 2009, long before I was elected as an MP in 2015. One of my key concerns about the project is the environmental devastation that it will bring along the route, particularly to our local area.
Over the years, I have been clear about my aim to have HS2 cancelled all together. I am one of only 44 MPs who voted against the project in Parliament in 2016.
Last year I organised the Great British Transport Competition in conjunction with the Tax Payers’ Alliance, with the aim of highlighting how the money set aside for HS2 could be better spent on other transport projects which would benefit the whole country.
The Government has recently carried out a review of HS2 (the Oakervee Review) and I made my own submission to the panel, setting out a strong case for scrapping the project all together. The Oakervee Review is due to be published shortly and I believe there is still a chance that the project may not go ahead.
Whatever the outcome of the Oakervee Review and the Government’s subsequent decision on HS2, I will continue to oppose the project. The Prime Minister is well aware that I am against HS2 and have campaigned against it for many years.
If the project does go ahead, rest assured I have no plans to halt my campaign to ensure the best mitigation and compensation for local residents. I will also continue to hold HS2 to account.
The price that the local environment will pay for the project is too high, many local residents and businesses will be adversely affected, and it is difficult to see what benefits it would bring to North Warwickshire which already enjoys pretty good public transport connections to the capital.
I have voted against the Government on a number of occasions on HS2 and pledge to continue as I strongly believe that it is my primary duty to represent the views of my constituents.
I promised to oppose HS2 in my election literature and I will continue to do so.