Rail Freight Interchange

13th July 2015

On Thursday night, Anne Main MP attended a public meeting on the future on the proposed rail freight site at Park Street. In a well-attended meeting in Chiswell Green, Anne was a member of a panel that included Strife, local politicians and green belt campaigners.

Anne said, ‘I felt that the meeting gave local residents the opportunity to further air their views, and get the most up-to-date information on the current state of affairs.

‘I think it’s clear that we have to look fully at a range of alternatives. Given its green belt status, unless there is a suitable proposal that is likely to be approved, the County will inevitably find itself in a difficult place.

‘We need to be realistic about what we can achieve in Park Street, and how best we can continue to fight against rail freight. After a clear decision by a high court judge, and the County Council’s fiduciary obligations, we need to balance this against the needs of the area, and what is realistically achievable. We need to think about the art of the possible and look at all viable alternative proposals.’

One of the issues raised at the meeting was the petition against the rail freight terminal. The St Albans MP said in relation to this matter, ‘I am urging you, if you’re a Hertfordshire resident, to sign the petition to have the matter fully debated by the County Council. We owe it to St Albans to have the County discuss this matter in full. We only have until September to reach the required 10,000 signatures.’

In response to the most recent announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) to mothball Network Rail’s capital expenditure projects, Anne wrote to the Transport Secretary, asking if this announcement will affect funding for the rail freight site. ‘There have always been questions surrounding funding for the site’ said Anne. ‘I am seeking clarity on this following the DfT’s announcement.’

DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT

I’m not currently an MP, as Parliament has been dissolved until after the General Election on 12th December 2019. This website will not be updated during the election campaign and is for reference of my work when I was a Member of Parliament.

To contact me during the campaign please visit 
www.stalbansconservatives.com or email me at
annemain@stalbansconservatives.com.

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