Davies’ U-turn on HS2

NORTH-WEST Euro MP Chris Davies said plans to spend up to £50 billion on a high-speed rail link between London and the North-West need a major rethink.

Once a supporter of the scheme, Liberal Democrat Mr Davies said increased costs as well as the belief that the economic benefits do not outweigh the costs have forced him to change his mind.

Mr Davies said: “There are many alternative ways of providing our existing rail network with extra capacity it needs, and they could benefit a greater number of rail travellers.

“There are genuine fears that business travel could fall due to the availability of videoconferencing and improved technology.

“If that happens HS2 could end up as a white elephant.”

Mr Davies has called for the modernisation of the signalling system to allow the Pendolino tilting trains to travel to London from Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington and Preston at 140mph, and improvements on the rail network.