Agenda item

A Reliable Railway Link for Plymouth

To consider a motion proposed by Councillor Dr Salter and seconded by Councillor Drean. 

Minutes:

Councillor Dr Salter moved and Councillor Drean seconded the following motion -

 

‘A Reliable Railway Link for Plymouth                                                 

 

This council considers it scandalous that the only mainline railway connection to the fifteenth largest city in the country, as well as to the entire County of Cornwall, continues to rest upon a bank of pebbles which wash away when it rains too much. A 21st century city cannot prosper when it relies upon 19th century infrastructure. We therefore call upon the government to replace mere discussion with urgent practical action, and spend just a tiny fraction of the £30 billion being proposed for the Midlands' HS2 scheme to install in the very near future at Cowley Bridge outside Exeter, and any similarly vulnerable sites on the route to Plymouth, a concrete viaduct or other robust technical solution.’

 

Councillor Dr Salter indicated that although the city’s leaders had written to the government seeking further commitment for funding, he felt that Plymouth needed to be more assertive in expressing their views.    

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) moved and Councillor Coker seconded an amendment as follows –

 

‘This Council considers it scandalous that the only mainline railway connection to the fifteenth largest city in the country, as well as to the entire County of Cornwall, continues to rest upon a bank of pebbles which wash away when it rains too much. A 21st century city cannot prosper when it relies upon 19th century infrastructure. We therefore call upon the Government to replace mere discussion with urgent practical action, and to immediately allocate the money required spend just a tiny fraction of the £30 billion being proposed for the Midlands' HS2 scheme to install in the very near future at Cowley Bridge outside Exeter, and any similarly vulnerable sites on the route to Plymouth, a concrete viaduct or other robust technical solution.‘

 

During the debate, issues raised included -

 

(a)

action already undertaken by the city’s leaders, including meetings with the Prime Minister, to highlight the continuing impact of the current situation on the economy of the south west;     

 

(b)

the original motion would not achieve immediate action as the budget for the Midlands’ HS2 scheme had yet to be determined;  

 

(c)

 

a multi agency approach was required on behalf of Plymouth and the sub region with a view to achieving a commitment by the government to improve transport links;   

(d)

 

members of the Management Board had met with Alison Seabeck MP and they had been advised that there was technical work required with regard to Cowley Bridge and a solution had yet to be determined.

 

Councillor Dr Salter welcomed the amendment.

 

Councillor Evans in summing up stressed the urgency of the situation and the need to convey to the government what the south west did and what Plymouth did for the south west.  He was due to meet the minister and his position would be strengthened with a united council, united Devon and united south west.

 

Following a vote, the amendment was agreed.

 

Following summing up by Councillor Dr Salter on the main motion, as amended, it was agreed to call upon the Government to replace mere discussion with urgent practical action, and to immediately allocate the money required to install in the very near future at Cowley Bridge outside Exeter, and any similarly vulnerable sites on the route to Plymouth, a concrete viaduct or other robust technical solution.  

 

Supporting documents: