Suzanne Jeffery's email

CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE - Trade Union Group

Dear Tim

I just want to clarify what is said in the climate jobs report in relation to HS2 and trams. I feel your comments below about the report don’t accurately reflect the position that the report takes.

The climate jobs report states explicitly that HS2 is not what is needed in an integrated public transport system which delivers for people and planet.

On page 55 in the section on rail, there are a series of bullet points outlining what is needed in a rail network including the following bullet point - 

“High speed trains to make longer journeys feasible but integrating new projects into the requirements of a genuine public transport system for all, rather than, as with HS2, vanity projects of vast expense to the tax payer affordable only by an elite minority” 

Above this point on the same page, is a graphic from the Stop HS2 campaign, to illustrate further the problem with HS2,  with the info “HS2 will require 3TWh/yr of electricity to run - 67% of the electricity the entire UK rail network currently uses.” 

Hence my statement yesterday, in line with the comments made in the climate jobs report and in agreement with you, that HS2 is a vanity project, a huge waste of money which will not deliver a low carbon integrated public transport system. 

In relation to trams, the report doesn’t explicitly comment on the metro tram system being proposed in Birmingham that you commented on in the meeting. I didn’t comment on this in the meeting.

The report outlines an approach which recognises that trams can play a role but not as a default position.

The report makes the following points in the section on trams on p.58 and p59 - “introducing trams should not be the default position. Careful thought should be given to the extent to which they can contribute to an integrated transport system and this would differ from place to place” 

The paragraph following this goes on to outline some of the reasons why it could be the wrong approach in many places. 

You and others argue that the proposals in Birmingham are the wrong approach and building on the bus and train network would much more effectively deliver a green public transport system for Birmingham. 

Thanks again to the organisers for the opportunity to speak at the excellent meeting yesterday. 

In Solidarity 

Suzanne

Dear Suzanne

Thank you so much for this excellent correction and clarification that was so welcome to read from your good self.

It does remain for the Trade Unionist Socialist Coalition and, most definitely, the Brum TUC to come out strongly against extensions to HS2, Metro and Sprint.  Further, in my opinion, to call for those billions to build that more sustainable, socially equal and just, and eco-socialist society that we both would like to see.