We need rail hub answers - MP
TRANSPORT planners must come up with answers on the full impact of the planned rail hub on South Holland - according to MP John Hayes.
Mr Hayes spoke about proposals for a rail freight interchange, currently being explored by district council chiefs, at the recent Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum meeting.
Mr Hayes, honourary president of the forum, said: "Instinctively I would welcome the idea but as with all of these things the devil is in the detail.
"We need to look at the down sides, the location and see the business case for the long term implications and benefits."
Mr Hayes says he will make inquiries to that effect but is keen to avoid a similar situation to the power station - which he feels has left a minimal benefit for this district and used workers from outside the area, meaning there were few jobs for locals.
He also said he was sceptical about the widespread use of distribution centres as an economic model - feeling that it is not viable in the long term to transport produce out of South Holland to a centre in the north of the country - only for the same food to end up on our shelves in the supermarket.
Mr Hayes added: "We should be going back to the days when goods were produced locally and consumed locally."
The forum also wants to find out what the impact will be on householders who live close to the railway - and if improvements to the tracks will actually stop noise pollution.
Council officers are working with experts to see if the project is viable and where it could be built.
Forum chairman George Scott orginally suggested Donington as a possible venue - but district council leader Coun Gary Porter says it has to be in Spalding for it to work for local companies.
Mr Scott added: "I have looked up and down the rail line and I cannot see where there would be the space available to put it."
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Weather for Spalding
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
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