Professor Cole described High Speed Rail (HSR1), which connects London with the continent, HSR2, which will connect London with Birmingham and the north and HSR3, which could run from London to Bristol but no further west into South Wales. 
He claimed that the absence of an extension westwards would render South Wales economically uncompetitive.

Professor Glaister described how, in his opinion, Professor Cole’s argument was flawed for three reasons:

1.    freight traffic is ignored
2.    road carries 93% of passenger traffic
3.    road investments are more economical than rail.

 

The ensuing discussion drew out costs of the HSR proposals and comparisons of cost benefit analyses of rail and road investment.

The arguments were put to the vote and Professor Glaister’s view prevailed with a 2:1 majority.