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Proceeding contribution from Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 November 2008. It occurred during Debate on Heathrow.


Heathrow

Exactly so. A lot of things have changed since 2003, including that a much stronger case is now being put for high-speed rail by Network Rail and others, which means there is a capacity for modal shift that was not anticipated. I do not mind the Government being committed to a 30-year long-term air strategy—the Secretary of State said it would be long term—but why does the rail strategy run out in 2014? Why are there no plans beyond 2014 to improve our railways? We have some longer platforms and trains now, but there are no plans beyond 2014—no lines opening, no commitment yet to high-speed rail, no electrification. A lot of things have been talked about, but nothing has been delivered on beyond 2014. Why is it right for air to have a long-term strategy, but not railways? That shows the unbalanced way in which the Department for Transport has addressed transport policy over the years: it has been roads, good; air, good; rail, bad; bus, bad. That simplistic way of looking at matters accurately reflects how the Department has dealt with transport policy.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
482 c677 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Aviation Construction Airports Air routes Heathrow Airport Pollution Noise
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk