Agenda item

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillors Eileen Blamire and Peter Williamson.

“This Council notes:

·         That in principle it welcomes the opportunity for improving rail links to the North West, particularly the potential for High Speed 2 (HS2) to add further capacity to the existing West Coast Main Line rail network.

·         That the final HS2 timetable is subject to future revision and consultation, but it wishes to ensure that our citizens benefit from the social and economic advantages that connection of the West Coast Main Line to the wider HS2 network may bring.

This Council believes:

·         That the City of Lancaster’s mainline station should serve as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, which in turn will provide improved access for businesses, organisations, and residents within (and visitors to) the Lancaster District.

·         That the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains has the potential to improve the future transport connections to Morecambe, including to Eden North (Eden Project), which is an emerging and potentially nationally-significant proposal.

·         That the Council should continue to consult with other prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the district to establish high-level support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.   

This Council resolves:

·         That the Chief Executive and Officers are empowered to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, for the reasons set out above.

·         That Officers are empowered to respond positively, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, to any future, relevant, national consultations regarding HS2 to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That as a first step, Officers arrange to work alongside prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the Lancaster District to collectively agree the detail regarding district-wide support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That in promoting Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, that residential amenity environmental standards will continue to be protected.”

An officer briefing note is attached.

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15 was moved by Councillor Blamire and seconded by Councillor Peter Williamson:-

“This Council notes:

·         That in principle it welcomes the opportunity for improving rail links to the North West, particularly the potential for High Speed 2 (HS2) to add further capacity to the existing West Coast Main Line rail network.

·         That the final HS2 timetable is subject to future revision and consultation, but it wishes to ensure that our citizens benefit from the social and economic advantages that connection of the West Coast Main Line to the wider HS2 network may bring.

This Council believes:

·         That the City of Lancaster’s mainline station should serve as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, which in turn will provide improved access for businesses, organisations, and residents within (and visitors to) the Lancaster District.

·         That the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains has the potential to improve the future transport connections to Morecambe, including to Eden North (Eden Project), which is an emerging and potentially nationally-significant proposal.

·         That the Council should continue to consult with other prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the district to establish high-level support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.   

This Council resolves:

·         That the Chief Executive and Officers are empowered to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, for the reasons set out above.

·         That Officers are empowered to respond positively, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, to any future, relevant, national consultations regarding HS2 to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That as a first step, Officers arrange to work alongside prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the Lancaster District to collectively agree the detail regarding district-wide support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That in promoting Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, that residential amenity environmental standards will continue to be protected.”

An officer briefing note accompanied the motion to aid the debate. The motion was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:-

This Council notes:

·         That in principle it welcomes the opportunity for improving rail links to the North West, particularly the potential for High Speed 2 (HS2) to add further capacity to the existing West Coast Main Line rail network.

·         That the final HS2 timetable is subject to future revision and consultation, but it wishes to ensure that our citizens benefit from the social and economic advantages that connection of the West Coast Main Line to the wider HS2 network may bring.

This Council believes:

·         That the City of Lancaster’s mainline station should serve as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, which in turn will provide improved access for businesses, organisations, and residents within (and visitors to) the Lancaster District.

·         That the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains has the potential to improve the future transport connections to Morecambe, including to Eden North (Eden Project), which is an emerging and potentially nationally-significant proposal.

·         That the Council should continue to consult with other prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the district to establish high-level support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.   

This Council resolves:

·         That the Chief Executive and Officers are empowered to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, for the reasons set out above.

·         That Officers are empowered to respond positively, on behalf of the City Council and its’ citizens, to any future, relevant, national consultations regarding HS2 to promote Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That as a first step, Officers arrange to work alongside prominent politicians, business leaders and organisations within the Lancaster District to collectively agree the detail regarding district-wide support for the inclusion of Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains.

·         That in promoting Lancaster as a primary stopping station served by HS2 trains, that residential amenity environmental standards will continue to be protected.