Institute of Directors and Green Party in agreement on potentially damaging effects of HS2
The Green Party is delighted to see the IoD adopt Green Party policy on HS2 and add its weight to the rising crescendo of voices opposing HS2. Whilst we do not share the IoD's enthusiasm for airport expansion there is much common ground in our joint prioritisation of existing rail links, our demands for much improved rail facilities and our determination to get value for money in these difficult economic times. There are very significant economic gains to be had from new direct train service with high quality rolling stock serving cities currently without these connections (e.g. Liverpool to Glasgow). Business logistics can be made far more efficient to the benefit of UK PLC with new high quality rail freight services and transforming our city-region rail services outside of London so that they are as good as Zurich, Munich or Berlin will boost employment and assist struggling businesses. Focusing on HS2 at a cost of £34 billion whilst ignoring these other investments is economic madness and poor value for money.
Professor John Whitelegg