Further to our call for support for the South East on Track Campaign, People Before Profit branches in the South East are asking for people of the SE to sign the petition they have launched this week. People powered movements are what bring about change, and with the golden circles of Government and others revealed again with #golfgate, the time has never been better to make demands as citizens, as the true stakeholders of a democracy.
Una Dunphy, Spokesperson for PBP says – “If anything, Covid19 has given us pause for thought, and shown us that many of our systems are failing, transport included. Both as public transport and a rail freight network, the railways of the SE must be upgraded, revived and made relevant to needs of the population, the ports and tourism. The move to lower emissions is dependent on viable options. An infrastructure already in existence is invaluable in the reduction of car and HGV usage.”
We have already promoted the move to rail freight, which is hugely important in light of the climate emergency and Brexit. This is in line with the EU Green Deal.
“The Green Deal communication identifies the objective of shifting a substantial part of the 75% of inland freight carried today by road, should shift onto rail and inland waterways. This reflects the fact that rail and inland waterways are the most energy-efficient and climate-friendly ways to move freight.” EU Commission 19th June 2020
Now is the time to get the support the people of the SE, and our representatives through this petition. The will of the people needs to be delivered, this can be a slow process, or when there is strong will and motivation, it can happen relatively quickly. Una says “Campaigns that catch the imagination of the public can change attitudes and deliver quickly, remember the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital, and the toppling of Phil Hogan, were all people powered. Our Government is weak and lacks any leadership now. We need to remind them who they serve, and the South East has so much potential, we need it to be acted on urgently.
https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/reinstate-south-east-rail-network