Campaigners slam ‘sham’ report by MPs on HS2

On Wednesday a group of cross-party MPs released the document, which concludes only a high-speed rail line will create sufficient rail capacity to meet the growing need.

They have described the ‘capacity crunch’ on the West Coast main line as a ticking time bomb that only a new high-speed line can defuse.

A statement from the politicians said: “Today, 70 cross-party MPs have concluded that a patch and mend approach so cherished by HS2’s opponents is simply not enough to ensure our railways will still be working efficiently in 20 years’ time.”

Members of campaign group Stop HS2 have reacted angrily to the MPs’ conclusions.

Campaign co-ordinator Joe Rukin said: “It is no real surprise that a group of out-of-touch MPs who would see their journey time to London cut, think mistakenly that there will be benefits to their areas.

“This report is a sham, it was a foregone conclusion, it is shamelessly selfish and ignores the facts.”