Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has backed High Speed Two, saying it is essential as a boost for the economy.
‘I think it’s a good thing that this Government, with Liberal Democrats in it, has finally taken the decision that governments have ducked for generations. That is we’ve got to learn the lessons from France and from other countries that it makes a dramatic difference to a country if you’ve got a lot of wealth in one part of the country, as we do, and lot of deprivation and economic underdevelopment in other parts of the country. One of the ways that wealth is spread more fairly is to make sure different parts of the country are much more quickly connected with each other.’
Clegg told delegates at his party conference that he would not be swayed by opposition in the Chilterns and the stockbroker belt. The government is currently reviewing the scheme and will announce its decision in December.
‘You’ve got to remember we are coming out of an economic crisis which was generated in part by an approach to economic development, from a succession of governments in different parties, which basically said look, as long as we look after the south-east and the city of London, and they become the locomotive of economic growth for the rest of the country, everything will be alright.
‘That basic model of economic growth has collapsed. It’s not going to come back,’ Mr Clegg said. ‘We need to make sure we don’t rely on one part of the country or one sector. I think high speed rail is absolutely crucial to that longer term vision of a more balanced, stable economy.
