The long-running saga of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line is causing a lot of soul searching and recrimination in Britain, writes John Kilraine.
The long-running saga of the High Speed 2 rail line is causing a lot of soul searching and recrimination in Britain.However, the sheer scale of the problems caused by the partially-built HS2 is daunting.
Although the Conservative election manifesto was non-committal about HS2, Boris Johnson made it a personal pledge. However, HS2 was hated by many Conservative supporters as it went through the Tory-voting countryside of Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Cheshire, cutting through farms, scenic areas and environmentally-protected areas.
Links to HS1, the rail link from London to the Channel Tunnel, and to Heathrow Airport had already been dropped. Britain's Chancellor the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is focused on keeping spending under control and reducing borrowing costs, not increasing them. Mr Sunak was accused of populism and pandering to the Tory membership base, but he has always been regarded as lukewarm on climate change issues and it is reported that he had opposed HS2.
However, even the most enthusiastic supporter of public transport will acknowledge there are problems with HS2.The most recent study by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority on a shortened route from London to Birmingham and Crewe in Cheshire decided that it was not viable. Meanwhile, 215 homes and one popular local pub have been demolished, 153 homes left uninhabitable, 70 businesses displaced and a construction site of 24 hectares is going to be left in the middle of Camden.Now with the completion date for Euston being given as 2041/2043 it could be another 20 years before there is an end to it.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Markets end third quarter on a highInflation figures ease investors’ interest rate fears
Read more »
New high-tech, low-maintenance homes from €360,000 in Co LouthThe development, which will 23 new houses, is close to the M1 which allows easy access to Dublin city and airport
Read more »
Irish background a ‘distinct advantage’ in high-profile international arbitration roleErasmus-year romance set Mullingar law graduate Niamh Leinwather on path to a career at Austrian branch of top firm Freshfields
Read more »
Retaining juries in defamation cases ‘a victory for democracy’Retired High Court judge Bernard Barton welcomes findings of Oireachtas report into proposed legislation
Read more »