Richard recently joined an online meeting with East West Rail's (EWR) CEO, David Hughes, along with Clapham Parish Council, Clapham Park Management Company and local land owners who will be affected by the planned route of EWR through their community.
Richard Fuller MP said:
I remain implacably opposed to EWR given the ludicrous decision on the route- supported by the former Lib Dem Bedford Mayor - which is long, loses money and is enormously damaging to the natural environment of North Bedfordshire.
East West Rail is nothing more than a vehicle for extensive house-building - needing far more than the New Town at Tempsford to justify its enormous cost to taxpayers.
Nevertheless, successive governments have pursued this white elephant and I have a duty to support local communities who seek to mitigate the harm that the railway will do to their particular areas.
So I hosted a meeting so local representatives could discuss the impact of the railway on Clapham and I was grateful for the attendance of the latest CEO of East West Rail, David Hughes.
The Parish Council were keen to have EWR formally consider their proposal for a tunnel rather than a 'cutting' through the village.
Clapham PC presented a solid and well-reasoned argument for a tunnel but also offered to support a 'green bridge' as a compromise to limit the environmental devastation that the current proposal would deliver.
I was pleased that CEO David Hughes committed to considering the proposal in full.
To be fair to EWR they also have pressing issues on accommodating the needs of Universal Studios but it was a clear commitment, so watch this space.
You can read more about Richard's views on East West Rail at https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/ewr
