HS2 MUST HAPPEN QUICKLY.

The current hullaballoo about the proposed 'HS2' railway line brings to mind a similar furore over the route to be followed by another transport infrastructure project.

 

Many years ago, I recall that my parents were a little concerned by proposals about the siting of a new orbital road for London. The suggestion was that it would come perilously close to their home and they were, understandably, somewhat worried by this. In the event, their house was not threatened as the M25, as it became known, was built some distance away and was not a problem. In fact, later house relocations found them living quite close to where the motorway was, which made some journeys easier and certainly added to the value of their property.

 

My parents were undoubtedly lucky not to have their lives disrupted by the M25 but many others did experience upheaval as the motorway construction proceeded, Houses were demolished and families moved, green fields were lost and lives disrupted but who now remembers any of this ? 'HS2' is simply more of the same and, while there will be losses, there should also be gains as Britain updates some more of its antiquated infrastructure.

 

I can well understand the unhappiness of those through whose villages the new lines will travel and of those who wish to protect, at all cost, the beauty of rural England, but are we really to hold back on vital transport improvements in order to meet the requirements of every NIMBYist complaint ? The answer has to be a resounding "NO!" 

 

There may, of course, be issues to be addressed and perhaps some small changes to the proposed  routes may be needed, but these developments must proceed. What is most worrying is that the current timetable is for work to begin on 'HS2' in 2026, which seems to be quite ludicrous. Why can this project not get underway within the next 2 or 3 years, rather than not for more than a dozen ?

 

Some people will be inconvenienced and even suffer massive disruption to the lives but, in the end, the benefits to the nation will far outweigh these disadvantages. 'HS2' must proceed and the sooner the better.