Government failure threatens local economy

The proposals from the government and Network Rail for high speed rail investment ignore Yorkshire from their plans. The government gives their reasons for investing in high speed rail as driving local economies but that just makes the decision even worse. If transport connections are poor, businesses often relocate to areas with good links.

Cllr Andrew Jones slammed the proposals, "Good transport links are very important locally, as our economy is dependent on visitors. They could be business visitors to conferences or leisure visitors enjoying our area, but getting here by rail is much better than ever increasing car traffic."

Andrew, who has long campaigned for improved rail connections, continued, "Our area is already in the sidings for rail investment. We need the high speed rail coming to Yorkshire, as part of the broader rail investment we need for our area. That is why I am launching a campaign to make the government and Network Rail realise just how wrong they are."

The campaign will include a petition for local people and businesses to go to Network Rail and the government, a notice of motion at the council, joining with other regional bodies to lobby ministers and put the case for our area.

For a petition form to add your support to the campaign, please call the Conservative Office on 01423 542630 or email hk-conservatives@btconnect.com

30th September 2009