Stronger economic case needed for Aylesbury spur of East-West Rail
Aylesbury MP held and Adjournment Debate on the issue this week
A stronger case is needed to approve the Aylesbury spur of East-West rail.
On Monday Aylesbury's MP Rob Butler held an Adjournment Debate on the issue of confirming the Aylesbury section of the East-West Rail.
The Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has told local MP Rob Butler that he “has kept the door open as far as possible” but that a stronger economic case is needed.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday night, Rob said:
“I submit that it is absolutely right and reasonable for my constituents to say to the Government that if we must have all the disruption of HS2 and if we must endure new housing construction, then the least consolation would be to give us the railway that we do want, and indeed thought that we were going to get.
"It has support from residents, with a petition still collecting signatures. It is championed by Buckinghamshire Council, which has itself contributed millions of pounds to funding the scheme’s development. It is backed by Buckinghamshire’s local enterprise partnership and by Bucks Business First. The station is there, most of the track is there, and the passengers are poised.”
The Transport Minister revealed the design, development and delivery of East West Rail has changed, and instead of delivering East West Rail in sections— western and central —it will now be delivered in “connection stages”.
Chris Heaton-Harris explained:
“I understand my hon. Friend’s concerns and those of his constituents that the proposed spur connecting Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, which previously formed part of the western section, is not included as part of the three main connection stages.
"That does not mean that the Aylesbury spur will not go ahead by any means, but it is important that a strong economic case can be made for proceeding with that element of the East West Rail scheme, and that a reliable rail service can be introduced without jeopardising existing services.
“The Secretary of State for Transport and I have instructed our officials in the Department to include financial provision for the design and delivery of the Aylesbury spur as part of the comprehensive spending review that will take place later this year.
"As my hon. Friend will appreciate, there will be many competing demands from a wide variety of schemes as part of that process, and boosting the available funding through local contributions will make the Aylesbury spur an even more attractive proposition."
Rob Butler, MP, commented on his frustrations at the changed plans after:
“As I said in the debate, the original business case for Phase 2 of East West Rail including Aylesbury is stronger than the business case for HS2. It is extremely disappointing that the Government has now shifted the goalposts and left us off the map, imposing a new set of hurdles before we can secure funding.
"I will continue to fight locally and nationally to convince ministers that Aylesbury needs and deserves to be an integral part of the new Great British Rail network”.