Cameron says high speed rail link is to go ahead

Thursday, 25th November 2010

Prime Minister David Cameron has said the high-speed rail line proposed by the Government to link London and the North is to go ahead, despite some Conservative ministers opposing the project. The new route is to connect the cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

The PM said the link will generate a ‘transformative’ effect for the region and will help the traditional divide between the northern and southern parts of the country. Despite at least one Conservative minister opposing the link, the PM has given it his unequivocal support.

One Cabinet minister, and perhaps more, are saying they will vote against the planned link. There are concerns the line will spoil some of the finest countryside in England.

The Welsh secretary, Cheryl Gillan, says she is extremely angry with the proposal. Her constituency, Chesham and Amersham, is expected to be amongst the areas most affected by the project.

Other Conservative MPs say they are equally worried the route of the link will rip through their rural constituencies. Ministers are readying a formal consultation on the proposal, which is budgeted at £17 billion. Tory MPs yesterday held a debate in the Commons to show their anger over the plans.

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