News from Richard Barnes: “High Speed 2 route is wrong”

Richard Barnes, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, has criticised the proposed route of High Speed 2, which will cut through Ealing and Hillingdon.

While agreeing in principle with the idea of connecting London with the Midlands with high speed trains, Mr Barnes opposes the suggested route trains would use to travel out of London because of the disruption it would cause to residents of Ealing and Hillingdon.

Commenting, Mr Barnes said: “I don't think it's the right route - my family in the West Midlands have never said to me, 'I wish I could get a ticket to Old Oak Common'.

“It will scythe through Hillingdon and Ealing causing serious disruption and requiring homes to be demolished. To make matters worse, residents won’t even benefit from it because there will be no stations in either borough.

“A far more sensible route would be to go from Euston straight out of London. I will be putting this case to the Government on behalf of my residents.”

Mr Barnes is encouraging residents of Ealing and Hillingdon to voice their own concerns in a consultation being launched by the Government in February, saying:

“We must all contribute to the Government's consultation to make sure the route is changed.”

ENDS