Hunter calls for High Speed Rail to stop in Stockport

2.17.00pm GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

Mark is calling for any new high speed rail development to stop at Stockport Station

Cheadle MP and Shadow Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Mark Hunter has challenged Transport Secretary Sadiq Khan in the House of Commons to guarantee that any new High Speed Rail links between London, the North of England and Scotland will include a stop at Stockport as the current West Coast Mainline does.

Mark has been a vociferous campaigner for high speed rail links, with the Liberal Democrats being the first party to announce their support for the developments and specify exactly how this would be funded. There has been increased speculation that train operators backed by the government might seek to reduce journey times by removing stations such as Stockport from any high speed plans.

In the Transport Questions session in Parliament, the Transport Secretary sidestepped Mark's question by saying that the Government are currently considering the idea and will possibly include the information in a future Government consultation.

Commenting, Mark said:

"I am very concerned that any High Speed Rail links might exclude the stop at Stockport and I have said for a long time now that I would oppose any plans that leave Stockport out of the high speed equation.

"It is important that we stand up for our local stations in this way and ensure that we are involved in major developments like this.

"Stockport would benefit in huge ways from high speed rail - but only if it is planned and managed properly.

"This is an ongoing campaign and I will continue to press the Government on this in Parliament. Achievements such as our new station developments in Cheadle Hulme just show that by hard work and persistence we can get the results we need."