• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Green Party policy regarding HS2

Status
Not open for further replies.

MarkWi72

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2017
Messages
300
The Greens are endorsing building HS2 in full, at the Manchester Conference. There's been a lot of lobbying and discussion over time on this matter and it's good to see.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Joined
9 Dec 2023
Messages
161
Location
High Wycombe
That’s nice to see. I think the majority of HS2 hate comes from:
a) People who live near it. While I can understand it may be disruptive especially in construction those people should be reminded they’re having a railway built near their house not a motorway.
b) Media - most of the media depiction is and has been “another London to Birmingham railway which is removing the bats and the countryside” (It is a London Birmingham railway now partially because of that description), failing to mention the various capacity issues on the WCML, MML, and ECML which will probably have a more harmful environmental impact if not solved. Yes it does disrupt habitats but there are plenty of places where new habitats will be created and I imagine monitored for progress too. Said media depiction relies on the public not fact checking and taking every word in the daily mail to be true. I’m not an insider or an expert, just an enthusiast with opinions.
 

59CosG95

Established Member
Joined
18 Aug 2013
Messages
6,676
Location
Between Beeston (Notts) & Bedlington
Good to see that they've finally realised building it in full is actually better for the environment!
Doubtless some of the 'old green guard' will still be up in arms about it though...
 

Ken_Ilworth

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2010
Messages
87
I saw the story earlier and absolutely welcome it. I could never understand the previous position - once the pros and cons were balanced out...
 

Mikey C

Established Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
7,359
So they were totally against HS2 when it was being built in full, and now totally support it now most of it has been cancelled.

:rolleyes:
 
Joined
18 May 2012
Messages
416
Hopefully the hybrid Bill adapted Bill in Parliament can be the vehicle to facilitate the northern section of HS2. Whilst it's labelled as removing HS2 from scope, the reality is that HS2 is still facilitated from Millington to Ardwick and the DfT/Treasury haven't decided how much passive provision they might make for HS2 at Piccadilly.
Northern Powerhouse Rail between Liverpool and Manchester
 

Snow1964

Established Member
Joined
7 Oct 2019
Messages
7,809
Location
West Wiltshire
Map of proposal is here, both HS2 and NPR, includes Golborne link (or a better replacement), 11 platform Euston, underground station in Manchester


Delegates at Green Party conference in Manchester have voted for HS2 to be funded and completed in full, including the entire Eastern leg and an underground through station at Manchester Piccadilly. The policy development comes as phase one of HS2 between London and Birmingham is well under construction

 

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
23,098
Location
Rugby
Natalie Bennett, who is the former leader and now sits in the Lords, has said she won't be backing it or speaking in favour of it.

Not a real or serious political party if the members still cannot make one of only two peers they have speak in favour of such a significant policy. It remains a receptacle for rubbish votes.
 

Cambus731

Established Member
Joined
19 Jul 2013
Messages
1,202
Location
Chelmsford
So they were totally against HS2 when it was being built in full, and now totally support it now most of it has been cancelled.

:rolleyes:
With respect I think thats a little unfair. There has been a movement within the Green Party members for some years that is in favour of HS2 with the aim of changing the party leaderships policy. I have been following 'Greens for HS2' on twitter for some years.
 

59CosG95

Established Member
Joined
18 Aug 2013
Messages
6,676
Location
Between Beeston (Notts) & Bedlington
Natalie Bennett, who is the former leader and now sits in the Lords, has said she won't be backing it or speaking in favour of it.

Not a real or serious political party if the members still cannot make one of only two peers they have speak in favour of such a significant policy. It remains a receptacle for rubbish votes.
It is at least encouraging that her views on it are being discounted by the current party leadership.
 

embers25

Established Member
Joined
16 Jul 2009
Messages
1,949
How can anyone trust a word they say on anything as they change their minds faster than any other political party and they can't even agree amongst themselves what their policy is?
 

Snow1964

Established Member
Joined
7 Oct 2019
Messages
7,809
Location
West Wiltshire
How can anyone trust a word they say on anything as they change their minds faster than any other political party and they can't even agree amongst themselves what their policy is?
I think they have now agreed a policy (although vote was not overwhelming). The key difference is that they now see it as much better alternative than domestic aviation or building lots of big new roads.

The change is more to doing what's best way forward accepting people will travel rather than block anything related to travel. With policy being best for next few generations, rather than short term thinking.
 

Energy

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2018
Messages
4,929
I think they have now agreed a policy (although vote was not overwhelming). The key difference is that they now see it as much better alternative than domestic aviation or building lots of big new roads.
The Green Party’s previous view of was of upgrading the existing network (because West Coast Route Modernisation went so well) or that remote working would erode the market away.

We’ve now recovered from a pandemic, intercity traffic is doing strong and growing. There seems to finally be acceptance within the top brass of the party that head-in-the-sand hoping that traffic goes away isn’t a viable option and that HS2 is better than flights or more motorways.

To be fair, many within the party had already recognised this.
 

WelshBluebird

Established Member
Joined
14 Jan 2010
Messages
5,178
I'm somewhat surprised at some of the hostility here. We should be supportive of people changing their minds to be in favour of it surely? If we just sit here and sneer, then why would anyone entertain the idea to begin with if they know they are just going to get shouted at for their previous stance.
 

Cambus731

Established Member
Joined
19 Jul 2013
Messages
1,202
Location
Chelmsford
I'm somewhat surprised at some of the hostility here. We should be supportive of people changing their minds to be in favour of it surely? If we just sit here and sneer, then why would anyone entertain the idea to begin with if they know they are just going to get shouted at for their previous stance.
Agree 100%
And there has been a pro HS2 movement within the Green Party for some time.
 

Sorcerer

Member
Joined
20 May 2022
Messages
1,067
Location
Liverpool
Pleased to see the mainstream Green Party actually support what is ultimately a green project and the best chance of bringing a modal shift from air and road to rail. Even if it was a small victory, progress is progress!
 

JamieL

Member
Joined
6 Aug 2022
Messages
682
Location
Argyll
It is, of course, very easy to support something that is never going to happen. As far as I can tell, Labour have seemingly decided not to resurrect the northern leg - although I am not sure if that is their final decision. In any event, HS2 isn't going to be going north of Birmingham anytime soon.
 

Bishopstone

Established Member
Joined
24 Jun 2010
Messages
1,555
Location
Seaford
This is a difficult one for the Greens, because lots of them (at activist level) are sceptical about any form of commercialised economic activity, and would rather people stayed at home and subsisted on produce they’ve grown.
 

Robin1966

Member
Joined
27 Sep 2013
Messages
34
So they were totally against HS2 when it was being built in full, and now totally support it now most of it has been cancelled.

:rolleyes:
Exactly my point as I was posting links on social media right now. If the GP had been behind HS2 when it really mattered, perhaps....just perhaps, it might have made a difference, but instead the hypocrisy got in the way and the GP elite dug their heels in. It's interesting to note Carla Denyer's comments, as she, somewhat unconvincingly, tries to save face and get behind it now...just totally ridiculous. I think perhaps the party could do with another leadership contest almost, maybe someone from Greens4HS2, someone with some common sense might be a better option....:rolleyes:
 

Stompehh

Member
Joined
5 Apr 2013
Messages
166
Exactly my point as I was posting links on social media right now. If the GP had been behind HS2 when it really mattered, perhaps....just perhaps, it might have made a difference, but instead the hypocrisy got in the way and the GP elite dug their heels in. It's interesting to note Carla Denyer's comments, as she, somewhat unconvincingly, tries to save face and get behind it now...just totally ridiculous. I think perhaps the party could do with another leadership contest almost, maybe someone from Greens4HS2, someone with some common sense might be a better option....:rolleyes:
Carla submitted a speech supporting the motion which ultimately led to this policy change.
 

DC1989

Member
Joined
25 Mar 2022
Messages
553
Location
London
Good to see them support it after it's been cancelled :D

Green party though 'don't whip' so their councillors, MP's and local activists are free to continue to their opposition to rail (Alongside their opposition to green energy, homes, reservoirs and basically any kind of infrastructure at all)
 

Doctor Fegg

Established Member
Joined
9 Nov 2010
Messages
2,091
Location
Charlbury
I think the correct reaction here is a shrug. Who cares what the Green Party think about anything?
Evidently the electors of Brighton Pavilion, North Herefordshire, Bristol Central, and Waveney Valley do, as well as city/district councillors in places like Bristol, Oxford, Stroud, Worcester, and no doubt other places that don't spring to mind immediately.
 

GRALISTAIR

Established Member
Joined
11 Apr 2012
Messages
9,217
Location
Dalton GA USA & Preston Lancs
Yes it does disrupt habitats but there are plenty of places where new habitats will be created and I imagine monitored for progress too.
Exactly. My house in the UK on the top of an embankment/cutting, 4 miles north of Preston on the WCML, has over the years become a fabulous haven for wildlife. All sorts of wildflowers and slowworms etc.

Good to see that they've finally realised building it in full is actually better for the environment!
Exactly.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top