CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop the high speed rail are disappointed by new comments made by MP Steve Pound.
In a letter to a Northolt resident last week, the Ealing North MP made his views clear that the High Speed Two planned to run through the north of the borough has huge economic benefits, but was waiting until the parliamentary debate before making a final decision on where he stands.
He pointed out that the link from Euston to Birmingham would run along the existing Central line tracks - no new lines would be laid - and mentioned how he and his family had always lived next to the line carrying freight trains from 5am to 'no ill effects.'
Albertina McNeill of Ealing Against HS2 fears this means they have lost a vital vote in the battle to stop the £32billion project planned to run through North Acton to Perivale.
She said: "It is definitely bad news for residents because every MP counts. I keep thinking back to the public meeting and the fact that we were all left under the impression that both Labour and the Conservatives were against it. What did we miss?"
Peter Fry, who lives close to the line in Selborne Gardens, Perivale, said: "He's retracing his steps from over a year ago. We had a meeting just before the election and he said he wasn't against it in principle but against the route of the HS2."
Mr Pound reiterated this week that he is 'keeping his powder dry' and would rather see government invest in a major infrastructure project that will generate new jobs than prop up the banks.
In response to disappointment by campaigners, he added: "Not that many sadly are against it, and a huge number are in favour of it as well. If politics was about how many people came to you about a subject, I'd just be a robot.
"At the moment there are arguments on both sides. It's not as easy as saying it's bashing a new line through Perivale because it's actually on the same tracks. I want to do a bit more reading before the debate."
New transport secretary Justine Greening is expected to decide whether to approve the project in December.
