03-March-2013

HS2 paving bill - E-petition

Last weekend, Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin announced plans to introduce a 'Paving Bill' for HS2 in the Queens Speech this May. People on both stages of HS2 have been expecting that the first vote in Parliament would be on a Hybrid Bill, which would be subject to years of scrutiny. Now the plan is to have a quick vote to release more money for both stages of the project before MPs can properly look into the plans during the Hybrid Bill. Please sign the petition to stop this underhand process, and urge everyone you know to sign it too.

Scrap plans for the HS2 ‘Paving Bill’ – http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46498

Petitions are vitally important, as they directly show the Government what people think of issues like HS2. Right now politicians will be looking very carefully at their policies in light of the Eastleigh by-election results. So please help us send a message to the government by signing the petition and asking your friends and family to sign it too.

Paving bills are used to spend money which would not normally be allowed until Royal Assent.  This is leading to speculation that not only is the hybrid bill for phase 1 falling behind schedule but that HS2 is already going over budget well before it's even started.  The suggested paving bill looks like an attempt to pre-empt the democratic process and override local concerns by getting legislation for HS2 without the scrutiny from a hybrid bill.