Agenda item

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Council received a report in relation to the public consultation on a High Speed Rail Network and more specifically, on a route between London and Birmingham/Lichfield.  The public consultation had commenced on 28 February 2011 and was due to run until the end of July 2011.

Mr Atkins indicated that, whatever people’s views on the proposals, it was necessary to try to keep the cost of the public consultation down.  He added that the issues not only concerned HS2 between London and Birmingham/Lichfield but also its extension (HS3) to Manchester and Leeds.

Mr. Parry expressed the opinion that the proposed high speed rail link would have a detrimental impact on employment levels and prosperity within Staffordshire and would also damage the local environment.  He also expressed the view that Staffordshire could become a commuter belt for London and that the business case for the high speed rail network was flawed.  He concluded by indicating that, in his view, it would be better to invest on improving the existing rail infrastructure so as to increase capacity.

Mr. Parry moved and Mr. Marshall seconded the following amendment:

         “That the recommendations contained in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Report be amended by the addition of the following recommendation:

         (3) That the County Council adopts a position which opposes the proposed High Speed Rail Link on the grounds that:

               (i)   Its business case is flawed

               (ii) It offers no economic or social benefit to Staffordshire

               (iii) It is potentially damaging to the economy and prosperity of Staffordshire

               (iv) It proposes significant and unacceptable environmental damage and disruption

               (v)  That investment in infrastructure and transport should focus on improving affordable rail and road transportation.”

Mr. Marshall indicated that HS2 would not be “green” and, at its best, government indicated that it would be carbon neutral.  He explained that one of his concerns was that, in Staffordshire, the proposal would result in an area of equivalent size to Manchester being concreted over and that most of the benefits arising from the high speed rail network would go to London, particularly as Staffordshire would not be getting a station on HS2.

Mr. Marshall also expressed concern that, if HS2 was to go ahead, there may well be an adverse impact upon existing services linking Staffordshire and London.  Furthermore, the cost of construction would result in an increase in the national debt and that there were other ways to increase existing service capacity which were more cost effective.

A number of Members spoke in support of the recommendations and the proposed amendment.  In addition, Mr. Davis, Mr. Easton and Mr. P.E. Jones expressed the view that the County Council also needed to consider the wider benefits of the HS2 proposals to the UK as a whole and not just its impact on Staffordshire.

Mr. Copper indicated that investment in rail would best be served by concentrating on ways to increase capacity rather than speed.  Following a vote, the Chairman declared the amendment carried.

RESOLVED – (a) That the views of Members be noted.

(b) That the County Council adopts a position which opposes the proposed High Speed Rail Link on the grounds that:

         (i)      Its business case is flawed

         (ii)     It offers no economic or social benefit to Staffordshire

         (iii)    It is potentially damaging to the economy and prosperity of Staffordshire

         (iv)    It proposes significant and unacceptable environmental damage and disruption

         (v)     That investment in infrastructure and transport should focus on improving affordable rail and road transportation

(c) That a further report be presented to the County Council in July 2011 covering additional material produced during the consultation and recommending a formal response by the County Council.