Rail Investment and Integrated Rail Plan

Debate between Louise Haigh and Ruth Cadbury

Wednesday 8th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Dr Jamie Wallis (Bridgend) (Con)]

Will the hon. Lady be equally vociferous with her colleagues in the Senedd? The devolved rail lines in Wales were recently rated the worst in the United Kingdom, and the Welsh Government continue to insist on not building the M4 relief road, so there will be longer journeys. Will she talk to her colleagues in the Senedd about those points?

[Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab)]

rose—

[Louise Haigh]

I give way to my hon. Friend.

[Ruth Cadbury]

I thank my hon. Friend for the very powerful speech she is making and congratulate her on her new role. Does she agree that as well as squandering the opportunity to provide jobs and regenerate so many communities in the north, this plan squanders the opportunity to take freight and cars off the road, which would reduce congestion and pollution and increase journey speeds for those who need to be on the road?

[Louise Haigh]

That is exactly the point, and it was the point of the original plans for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. The hon. Members for Shipley (Philip Davies) and for Keighley (Robbie Moore) understand that. They understand what it means to scale back NPR. They have described the decision as hugely and bitterly disappointing.