HS2 campaigners welcome Justine Greening's new role in cabinet reshuffle

1:02pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Andy Carswell

Justine Greening has been replaced as Transport Secretary by Patrick McLoughlin Justine Greening has been replaced as Transport Secretary by Patrick McLoughlin

JUSTINE Greening's removal from the post of Transport Secretary has been welcomed by opponents of HS2.

Ms Greening, a supporter of the controversial scheme, became Secretary of State for International Development during yesterday's cabinet reshuffle.

She will be replaced in the role by Derbyshire Dales MP Patrick McLoughlin in a move that has led to fresh optimism amongst campaigners in Bucks.

Cllr Seb Berry of Chiltern District Council said: "Good riddance to a Transport Secretary who added insult to injury by arrogantly refusing to visit this area and hear at first hand from local people. 

"We now have a Transport Secretary who represents a rural seat and one who will want to take another look at the ever worsening HS2 economic case. It's a good opportunity for the Stop HS2 campaign to build on the momentum of the last months in the run up to the December court hearings."

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council and chairman of the 51M alliance group, said: "The business case for HS2 has collapsed and there are much more important priorities for infrastructure investment that will bring jobs and growth now, when we need them.

"We trust that Patrick McLoughlin, the new Secretary of State, will approach the issue of HS2 with an open mind, look at the facts and the alternatives that 51m have put forward and decide to consign this project to the waste paper bin."

Stop HS2 Campaign Coordinator Joe Rukin said the group hopes to put their case to Mr McLoughlin "as soon as possible".

Mr McLoughlin, who served in the Department for Transport under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, is the fourth MP to hold the role of Transport Secretary since the HS2 project was given the go-ahead in 2010. He was preceded by Lord Adonis, Philip Hammond and Ms Greening.

Comments (7)

2:15pm Wed 5 Sep 12

geoffW says...

What tosh! Greening believed in the scheme. She was removed from her job because she wasn't in agreement with a new runway at Heathrow.
.
She has been replaced with Patrick McLoughlin. He is there simply because he is a government "Yes Man".
.
If he so much as hints that HS2 might be a none-starter he too will be replaced.
.
There will be no change of attitude in the department under him.
What tosh! Greening believed in the scheme. She was removed from her job because she wasn't in agreement with a new runway at Heathrow. . She has been replaced with Patrick McLoughlin. He is there simply because he is a government "Yes Man". . If he so much as hints that HS2 might be a none-starter he too will be replaced. . There will be no change of attitude in the department under him. geoffW

2:53pm Wed 5 Sep 12

miccles says...

I think this story just proves, what a great big bubble these kind of people live in, thinking before anyone has got time to plonk his a** on a chair, that he is thinking of HS2.

Wake up people, there are other things in life to get on with.

Maybe someone should burst your great big bubble, and you should experience life in the open air.
I think this story just proves, what a great big bubble these kind of people live in, thinking before anyone has got time to plonk his a** on a chair, that he is thinking of HS2. Wake up people, there are other things in life to get on with. Maybe someone should burst your great big bubble, and you should experience life in the open air. miccles

3:25pm Wed 5 Sep 12

J B Blackett says...

Yes , I agree. We must all get up from our computers , desert the internet and go outside into the garden / countryside / wide world.
.
It's a nice day out there - too good to waste talking about fly-by-night useless gangs of politicians , liars , cheats and assorted proven criminals .
Which reminds me - I must remove the scum floating on the pond.
Yes , I agree. We must all get up from our computers , desert the internet and go outside into the garden / countryside / wide world. . It's a nice day out there - too good to waste talking about fly-by-night useless gangs of politicians , liars , cheats and assorted proven criminals . Which reminds me - I must remove the scum floating on the pond. J B Blackett

5:11pm Wed 5 Sep 12

IanBartlett says...

I think what stands out from all the press coverage of the reshuffle is the complete lack of comment about HS2 which, to me, looks very much as though outside the immediate line of route, it's barely an issue.

One thing is for sure; the minute Patrick McLoughlin meets Joe Rukin or any of the other 'campaigners', he's likely to think about bringing the project forward!
I think what stands out from all the press coverage of the reshuffle is the complete lack of comment about HS2 which, to me, looks very much as though outside the immediate line of route, it's barely an issue. One thing is for sure; the minute Patrick McLoughlin meets Joe Rukin or any of the other 'campaigners', he's likely to think about bringing the project forward! IanBartlett

9:37pm Wed 5 Sep 12

rich61 says...

They said all this guff back when Justine Greening was first appointed Transport Minister. The moment they realised she wasn't interested in their selfish little campaign they turned all nasty and started sniping at her from their websites. Absolutely pathetic.
They said all this guff back when Justine Greening was first appointed Transport Minister. The moment they realised she wasn't interested in their selfish little campaign they turned all nasty and started sniping at her from their websites. Absolutely pathetic. rich61

3:22pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Windsorian says...

To co-incide with the government reshuffle, I see that the Lichfield MP, Michael Fabricant, has resigned as a Tory party whip. He claims this is so he can devote more times to his constituents and fight HS2.

Do the anti-HS2 brigade really think he would have resigned, if there was any possibility of HS2 beig abandoned ?

In my opinion it is time for the anti-HS2 brigade to wise up to the fact that Joe Rukin and Penny Gaines are a pair of losers.
To co-incide with the government reshuffle, I see that the Lichfield MP, Michael Fabricant, has resigned as a Tory party whip. He claims this is so he can devote more times to his constituents and fight HS2. Do the anti-HS2 brigade really think he would have resigned, if there was any possibility of HS2 beig abandoned ? In my opinion it is time for the anti-HS2 brigade to wise up to the fact that Joe Rukin and Penny Gaines are a pair of losers. Windsorian

1:14pm Sun 30 Sep 12

Chiltonians says...

Ian, I agree with you, if Mr McLoughlin met Thick Joe or Whacky Penny he would certainly bring the project forward.

It is more than a rumour now that both the community events these two regularly attend are not advancing any proposals for reducing impacts locally and are basically about delaying tactics each meeting. I think even the locals are getting peed off with this approach.

I'm not sure how their attendance can be seen supporting the very community they are supposed to represent by attending these events.
Ian, I agree with you, if Mr McLoughlin met Thick Joe or Whacky Penny he would certainly bring the project forward. It is more than a rumour now that both the community events these two regularly attend are not advancing any proposals for reducing impacts locally and are basically about delaying tactics each meeting. I think even the locals are getting peed off with this approach. I'm not sure how their attendance can be seen supporting the very community they are supposed to represent by attending these events. Chiltonians

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