Motion in the name of Councillor Brian Parbutt:
The Council profoundly regrets the Conservative government’s decision to scrap the electrification of the Midlands Mainline, two years after agreeing the scheme, and in the same week as announcing £30 billion of funding for Cross Rail 2.
This Council believes these announcements highlight the unfairness of government transport funding, which prioritises London and the South East against all other areas. London currently receives £2,595.68 per person of transport infrastructure funding, compared to just £218.94 in the East Midlands.
Therefore, this Council resolves to:
· write to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling urging the Government to reverse their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midlands Mainline;
· write to the Department of Transport asking for an explanation as to why this scheme has been scrapped, when there was clear evidence of the economic benefits it would bring;
· campaign alongside other local authorities in the East Midlands for further investment in transport infrastructure in the region;
· lobby Members of Parliament to push this issue in Parliament.
Minutes:
Moved by Councillor Brian Parbutt, seconded by Councillor Sally Longford:
The Council profoundly regrets the Conservative government’s decision
to scrap the electrification of the Midlands Mainline, two years after agreeing the scheme, and in the same week as announcing £30 billion of funding for Cross Rail 2.
This Council believes these announcements highlight the unfairness of government transport funding, which prioritises London and the South East against all other areas. London currently receives £2,595.68 per person of transport infrastructure funding, compared to just £218.94 in the East Midlands.
Therefore, this Council resolves to:
· write to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling urging the Government
to reverse their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midlands
Mainline;
· write to the Department of Transport asking for an explanation as to
why this scheme has been scrapped, when there was clear
evidence of the economic benefits it would bring;
· campaign alongside other local authorities in the East Midlands for
further investment in transport infrastructure in the region;
· lobby Members of Parliament to push this issue in Parliament.
The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Andrew Rule, seconded by Councillor Jim Armstrong:
Replace: The Council profoundly regrets the Conservative government’s decision to scrap the electrification of the Midlands Mainline, two years after agreeing the scheme, and in the same week as announcing £30 billion of funding for Cross Rail 2.
With: This Council recognises the £760 million of investment in local transport projects provided by both Central Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships since 2010 which have benefited both the City and the wider region.
Replace: This Council believes these announcements highlight the unfairness of government transport funding, which prioritises London and the South East against all other areas. London currently receives £2,595.68 per person of transport infrastructure funding, compared to just £218.94 in the East Midlands.
With: This Council further notes the Government’s commitment to HS2 and acknowledges the important role it will play in improving transport links in the North of the county.
Insert: This Council nevertheless profoundly regrets the decision to scrap the electrification of the Midland Mainline and Council resolves to…..
Amended motion to read:
This Council recognises the £760 million of investment in local transport projects provided by both Central Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships since 2010 which have benefited both the City and the wider region.
This Council further notes the Government’s commitment to HS2 and acknowledges the important role it will play in improving transport links in the North of the county.
This Council nevertheless profoundly regrets the decision to scrap the electrification of the Midland Mainline and Council resolves to:
· write to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling urging the Government to reverse their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midlands
Mainline;
· write to the Department of Transport asking for an explanation as to why this scheme has been scrapped, when there was clear evidence of the economic benefits it would bring;
· campaign alongside other local authorities in the East Midlands for further investment in transport infrastructure in the region;
· lobby Members of Parliament to push this issue in Parliament.
Councillors voted on the proposed amendment.
RESOLVED to reject the proposed amendment.
Councillors then voted on the original motion.
RESOLVED to carry the original motion.
Councillors Jim Armstrong, Georgina Culley and Andrew Rule requested that their vote against the above decision was recorded.
CHAIR
At this point in the meeting the Lord Mayor left and the Sheriff took over as Chair for the remainder of the meeting.