Bring high-speed line to coast, North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale urges transport secretary
A high-speed train at
Sandwich
A Kent MP has called on the transport secretary to see the High
Speed 1 rail service completed through to Thanet.
Sir Roger Gale, who represents North Thanet, spoke
following Patrick McLoughlin's statement on the proposed future
route of High Speed 2 services to the north of
England.
He said: "It takes real political courage to press the case
for major infrastructure projects that may not deliver results for
several parliaments ahead but if nobody takes those decisions now
then our grandchildren and even their children will suffer from our
lack of vision today.
"It is shocking that there has no significant investment in a
railway line north of London for more than a century and as the
secretary of state has indicated a willingness to consult and
listen I hope that HS2 will be given a fair wind.
"At the same time, there is little point in starting a project
and then not seeing it through.
"The so-called ‘fast link’ from London to Ashford does not reach
its potential and will not do so unless and until it is pushed
through to Manston Airport and the Isle of Thanet.
"If the government wants a seriously good advertisement for high
speed rail in the United Kingdom then the answer is swift and
simple: pick up where the last Labour government failed and finish
High Speed 1."
What do you think? Join the debate below.
29/01/13
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