Chancellor’s support for 1066 country high speed rail

The campaign to bring high speed rail to 1066 country received support from chancellor George Osborne yesterday (Wednesday, November 25).
Huw Merriman MP and district cllrs campaigning for the high-speed Javelin trains to come to Hastings and BexhillHuw Merriman MP and district cllrs campaigning for the high-speed Javelin trains to come to Hastings and Bexhill
Huw Merriman MP and district cllrs campaigning for the high-speed Javelin trains to come to Hastings and Bexhill

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman asked the chancellor of the exchequer to re-state government support for the HS1 project during the autumn statement debate.

“I’m happy to re-state my support for the Javelin to Hastings and his constituents in Bexhill and Battle,” Mr Osborne said.

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“We are also investing in the roads in the area because that is a particularly congested part of the South East.

Chancellor George Osbourne restated his support for bringing HS1 to 1066 countryChancellor George Osbourne restated his support for bringing HS1 to 1066 country
Chancellor George Osbourne restated his support for bringing HS1 to 1066 country

“There are lots of exciting things happening on the south coast as business comes in and the expansion of the university in Hastings.

“Anything more we can do to boost businesses in his constituency, I am very happy to look at that.”

Both Mr Merriman and Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd are campaigning to bring a high speed rail service from London to Hastings and Bexhill via Ashford to boost growth, provide new jobs and encourage further investment in their constituencies.

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The strong business case for this project was launched at the De La Warr Pavilion last month which claimed it would ‘supercharge’ the economy.

In the summer budget, the chancellor announced the department of transport had asked the rail industry to include the project in the 2016 Kent Route Strategy.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Merriman said: “I am delighted that the chancellor has today confirmed his support of the high speed rail proposal for Hastings and Bexhill.

“He clearly recognises that importance of encouraging economic growth in this area and the necessity for good transport infrastructure to help make this happen.”

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Ms Rudd said: “Bringing high speed rail from London to Rye, Hastings and Bexhill is an opportunity to significantly accelerate the growth and development we are seeing in our local area.

“I am really pleased this is recognised with the continued support of the chancellor for its inclusion in the forthcoming Kent Route Study.”

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