MP’s ‘difficult’ decision to oppose high speed rail

The Conservative politician’s decision, which he has called “very difficult”, is another blow to the HS2 project in a week when Warwickshire county councillors voted unanimously to oppose the plans to build a 250mph train link from Birmingham to London.

Mr White has written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, informing him of his intention to oppose the plans and urging him to reconsider the project.

Mr White said: “I cannot in good conscience vote for HS2 with the route as it stands, which will tear up Warwickshire’s countryside and will bring no benefit to Warwick and Leamington – in fact, quite the opposite.

“The route will do irreparable damage to our surrounding environment, will draw economic development away from our area and towards big cities like Birmingham and at a time when we are facing deep but necessary reductions in public spending I do not believe the multi-billion pound cost of this project can be justified.”

This would be the first time Mr White rebels against the Coalition Government.

He said: “I was sent to Westminster to represent my constituency and my constituency will always come first.

“Warwick and Leamington will always be my top priority and I will not support something I believe will damage our community.”

Before the county council met on Tuesday, Mr White had urged members to “do the right thing” and join other authorities including Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council in opposing the proposal.

Anti-HS2 campaigners gathered outside the county council’s headquarters at Shire Hall in Warwick on the morning of the meeting.

Among them was Peter Delow, chairman of the Cubbington Action Group Against HS2.

He said: “Chris White has come out saying he will vote against HS2.

“That is very significant because it is not even in his constituency.”

Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright has taken a more cautious approach to HS2, but is arguing the route should follow an existing transport corridor to reduce the blight it would cause.

He speaks on his website about the plans saying: “I believe that there are good arguments to be made for a high-speed rail network in the UK but I do not support the route for HS2 which is currently proposed.

“This is the position I set out during the general election campaign, in my election literature, and at the various public meetings I held or attended.”