Channel rail link route statement blocked: Labour whips threatened to disrupt parliamentary business
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MINISTERS were forced to postpone announcing the route of the Channel rail link until next week because of a threat by Labour to disrupt parliamentary business, writes Christian Wolmar.
British Rail had been told last week that the Government wanted to make the announcement on the day after the Budget even though this is traditionally a day when Labour makes its response to the Chancellor's speech.
Labour whips did not want the speech by Gordon Brown, the shadow Chancellor, to be overshadowed and threatened to disrupt business in the same way that MPs did last week by raising points of order and forcing debates on statutory instruments which are usually passed on the nod.
The route of the link is expected to go from Ashford to Detling and Boxley, then through a short tunnel to the Medway towns. It crosses the Thames between Gravesend and Dartford and to Rainham in Essex and Stratford in east London. Union Railways, the BR subsidiary devising the scheme, has promised that its route will involve only the demolition of 15 to 20 houses. The most likely route in London is in a tunnel from Stratford to Dalston in Hackney and then along the North London line.
The delay will, however, allow Kent residents opposed to the scheme to build up their campaign. One exasperated BR manager said: 'It's another cock-up. It just allows the opponents to build up steam.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments