Mark is to lead a debate in Westminster Hall next Wednesday morning, 9th June, on the future of high speed rail.

He has long been campaigning for a high speed line between London and Scotland and in March the then Labour Government announced ambitious plans for a high speed line which aimed to cut the journey time between London and Scotland to a little over two hours, with shorter journey times between many other principal cities. To read more on this, click here.

Mark said:

“The plans announced in March were great news for business and tourist passengers alike. It’s also vital to encourage people to use rail rather than taking domestic flights if we are serious about reducing carbon emissions.

“I wanted to raise the issue as soon as possible in the new Parliament so that it isn’t simply shelved as the new coalition looks for likely targets for cuts.

“The plans for new high speed rail showed the same scale of ambition that other European countries like France and Germany have shown in developing their railways and this debate is a chance to test how the new Government intends to take them forward.”

Mark has a longstanding interest in transport issues. He has spoken before about the need to develop a sustainable railway system in the UK which would include not just high speed rail but also much improved links between Scotland and the North of England. To read one of his speeches on this click here.

In addition, he is a member of the Labour Cooperative group of MPs and has campaigned for Network Rail to be run in a much more open way with greater accountability to the traveling public.