Aylesbury MP says petition shows HS2 is 'unwanted and unnecessary' after Commons debate
A petition - calling for work on HS2 to be stopped - was signed by more than 155,000 people
The MP for Aylesbury has said HS2 should be scrapped after a debate in Parliament last night (13 September).
A petition, titled "Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation", was debated in the House of Commons after it was signed by more than 155,000 people.
During the Westminster Hall debate, Rob Butler said he does not believe the railway is needed:
"It makes no sense economically, with a weak business case and spiralling construction costs.
"It makes no sense environmentally, with more than a hundred ancient woodlands being destroyed for a line that will never be carbon neutral over the course of its 120 year lifespan.
"I remain absolutely convinced that the scheme will do enormous damage to our area with zero benefit to the people of Aylesbury and the nearby villages."
Rob went on to explain the consequences for local villages and Aylesbury itself of construction of the railway. He drew particular attention to the impact on Stoke Mandeville, Fairford Leys and Wendover.
Rob added there are "so many things the HS2 budget could be better spent on":
"I have three suggestions: local train lines, both across the north of England and indeed in my own constituency – notably the Aylesbury link of East-West Rail, which has a better business case than HS2, would dramatically cut traffic congestion and reduce environmental harm, but is still waiting for funding approval.
"Or we could use the money for high-speed broadband, which would enable the new ways of working that are now becoming embedded following the pandemic: parts of my constituency still struggle to get Wi-Fi despite being less than 50 miles from central London.
"Or indeed we could just save some of the huge bill, given the hundreds of billions of pounds we have had to borrow in the past 18 months.
"Any of those options would be much better for my constituency and for the country than this painful, lumbering white elephant project."
After the debate, Rob told Greatest Hits Radio:
"I was really glad that we could have this debate in Parliament and that I could make it really clear that I completely share the views of the vast majority of residents across the Aylesbury constituency that HS2 should be scrapped.
"I've always said that we don't need this railway, it makes no sense economically and it makes no sense environmentally.
"Parliament needed to be reminded of the absolute opposition of Aylesbury constituents to this ridiculous railway, and I am glad I had the opportunity to hammer home the message of the harm it is causing.
"The sheer number of people signing the petition demonstrates that HS2 is unwanted and unnecessary.
"I hope the government has heard the powerful arguments made in this debate and will put HS2 out of its misery.
"Unfortunately the debate doesn't force the government to change its policy and to cancel HS2.
"But to have so many MPs standing up to oppose this ludicrous waste of money was powerful in itself.
"My job now is to continue to hold HS2 Ltd's feet to the fire to minimise the impact on local people."
Minister for HS2 Andrew Stephenson said HS2 had "been subject to more parliamentary scrutiny than any other infrastructure project", adding:
"Our firm conclusion was that HS2 should go ahead and is now progressing."
HS2 Ltd has been approached for a comment.