Extract from close of business adjournment debate on East West Rail Route Consultation: North East Bedfordshire - June 28
Tuesday, 29 June 2021 07:44
Richard Fuller (North East Bedfordshire) (Con):...The Campaign to
Protect Rural England for Bedfordshire has stated its firm
opposition to the route selected and highlighted severe limitations
in the consideration of the environment in the consultation.. ...As
I was saying, the CPRE has raised a more fundamental point, with
which I agree: the detailed assessment of environmental impact is
being done right at the end of the process, rather than being front
and centre at the start of the...Request free trial
(North East
Bedfordshire) (Con):...The Campaign to Protect Rural
England for Bedfordshire has stated its firm opposition to
the route selected and highlighted severe limitations in the
consideration of the environment in the
consultation..
...As I was saying, the CPRE has raised a more fundamental
point, with which I agree: the detailed assessment of environmental
impact is being done right at the end of the process, rather than
being front and centre at the start of the process. It rightly asks
how a route that is longer and hillier, requiring significant
additional construction and carving its way through open
countryside, can have a carbon footprint consistent with our net
zero targets? As a result, environmental impact is seen as the
guise of mitigation rather than as a full part of a proper
assessment. We cannot be a Government committed to biodiversity and
protection of our natural habitat if we continue this practice. The
Minister—indeed, the Prime Minister—has the opportunity with East
West Rail to take a stand on this matter. Will the Minister
therefore raise these environmental concerns directly with No. 10
and gain its assurance that this project, with all its changes, has
the Prime Minister’s endorsement as being fully compliant with his
green agenda?
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