Bury’s two MPs are on opposite sides of the track over the next stage of high speed rail link between Manchester and London.

Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, has given his backing to the controversial £42.6 billion HS2 rail project.

But he warned that future support was reliant on the Government keeping costs for the project, between London and the North of England, under control and being completed on time.

Meanwhile, Bury North MP David Nuttall continued his opposition to the plan saying he voted against HS2 because he does not believe his constituents want it.

The High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill), cleared the Commons, with 350 in favour and 34 against, moving the controversial rail line a step closer to becoming a reality.

As a result, the legislation now releases funds to pay for surveys, buy property and compensate evicted residents.

Mr Lewis said the HS2 project has two challenges: future jobs and growth in the North West region; and rebalancing the economic gulf between north and south. Having said that, we are right to ask the Government to make sure they bring it in on time and in on budget.”

Mr Nuttall said: “I have remained consistent in voting against this scheme.I am not convinced by the arguments that are being put forward. I doubt if more than a handful of my constituents are in favour of this as they rarely travel from Manchester to London.

“If the travel time is going to be reduced, it will make it easier for companies in London to say ‘we don’t really need an office in Manchester, we will close those offices down’. High speed rail is a19th century solution to a 21st century problem “We already have modern technology, which is in its infancy — things like video phones and teleconf-erencing, the use of Skype.

“As the use of these modern technologies becomes more widespread, the need for meetings in London will gradually decrease.”

Support for last Thursday's cross party supported vote also came from Bury's business community.

Emma Antrobus, who represents Bury and is policy and campaigns manager at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “We believe that HS2 is the type of infras-tructure proj-ect that will create confid-ence to support private sector investment, create the additional rail capacity our economy will demand to move people and goods as it grows, and create the jobs in the rail construction sector and across many other sectors.

“The economic benefit to Greater Manchester has been assessed to be about £1.3bn per year when it is built and Bury will share in that.”

The legislation will now undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

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