In the UK we have not built a new railway line for more than 120 years north of London and building a High Speed railway at this point, is actually playing catch up. When I look across the pond, High-Speed Railway is everywhere and can be seen in most countries, just look at China, Japan, France and Spain.
HS2 is dividing opinion
This January 2020, the announcement of the new High-Speed Railway generated both excitement and anxiety. It is dividing opinion, especially amongst those people where the railway line smashes through the backyards of properties, carving up the landscapes and destroying the beautiful scenery they hold dear. And lets not forget it is 3 times over budget, at a cost of 106 billion of taxpayer’s money, that may or may not bring prosperity to the majority residents of the UK, like you and me.
Cutting a few minutes off the journey time from London to Birmingham, London to Crewe, London to Manchester – which is what critics say. It was never what this project was all about…it was more about speed, improved transport times, capacity, creating jobs and rebalancing the UK’s economy.
Before we weigh up the feasibility and the potential pros and cons, let’s understand what the HS2 project really is.
What is HS2?
It is a high-speed railway line that will better link Britain’s biggest cities, London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. It aims to create more jobs, increase connectivity between industries across the country. It also aims to cut journey times considerably from London to Birmingham and from London to Crewe by thirty five minutes.
Trains will be built, 400m long carrying up to 1100 seats travelling up to 250mph with 14 trains per hour. This speed is insane, boasting a speed faster than the railway lines built on the rest of the continent.
Source: https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2/
Proposed build Schedule and Journey Times:
The first stage will be expected to be completed by 2026. The next part of the lines to Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds, could start being built in the next decade.
Phase 1: London to West Midlands, 2020 – 2026. Costing 40.5bn – £42.75bn. 1hr 20mins to 49mins
Phase 2a: West Midlands’ to Crewe. Costing 4bn – 4.5bn. London to Manchester 2hrs and 7mins to 1hr and 7min
Phase 2b: Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds (Costing 36bn – 40.5bn). Birmingham to Leeds 2hrs to 1hr
Source: Guardian graphic. Source: Department for Transport. Note: figures in 2019 prices, government/HS2 estimates September 2019
Express Online: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1240725/hs2-cost-how-much-has-hs2-cost-hs2-rail-project-cost-breakdown
SUPPORT FOR PROJECT
Commenting on the announcement, Boris Johnson said: “I cannot say that HS2 Ltd has distinguished itself in the handling of local communities. The cost forecasts have exploded, but poor management to date has not detracted from the fundamental value of the project.”
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hs2-high-speed-train-confirmed-boris-johnson-a4358831.html
Shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald, who is MP for Middlesbrough, said in support for HS2: “We’ve got to make a commitment to HS2, it’s an advanced rail network that the country needs for connectivity, to tackle capacity and deal with the critical issue of the climate crises”.
Source: https://labour.org.uk/press/local-transport-spending-announcement-andy-mcdonald-responds/
Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has welcomed the government’s announcement last month, that HS2 has got the green light.
Otherwise he explained, to have stopped HS2 would have sent out the wrong message to the countries we want to do trade with in the future. This doesn’t make sense
Source: https://www.aslef.org.uk/article.php?group_id=6957
OPPOSITION OF PROJECT
So what are the issues? why are they spiraling out of control? It seems construction companies take advantage of the TAX payers money. We have learned, some of it is due to the engineering costs, poor ground conditions, and underestimating the costs of training, wanting speeds of around 225mph and most important environmental concerns.
Residents have criticised the scheme, especially where it runs close to their (no need to repeat residents) homes. They believe it will lead to an increase in carbon emissions and cause damage to natural ecosystems. Questions are being asked such as: how is it that Chinese companies can build it in less time, and cheaper? However, outsourcing this to China, will lead to other problems such as the lack of developing our own skills force and fewer employment opportunities. Despite the clear notable benefits, investing and retaining in our own skill force is paramount to our growth as a country.
This parent articulates how the HS2 will be funded by people unable to actually benefit from the service. “My son who is a UK taxpayer is paying towards the building of hs2 and yet when it is completed there will be no way he will be able to afford to travel on it. The fact is this is a form of SLAVERY where people work hard and pay part of their salaries towards something only comparatively few, well-off people will use. This is yet another way of crapping on people and rubbing their noses in it. A major problem in the UK, this; taking from the poor to give to the rich”.
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrwEdvkd2k
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Although there is a clear divide in opinions, is there enough of an alternative solution? Considering this, the question you must ask is, what would you do with the money instead of HS2? I have a few suggestions: Investment in improving other train lines, lengthening carriages, new trains, better bus services, and cycle lanes, fixing potholes and building cohesion between communities. Therefore, communities up and down the country can be better served by creating safer, peaceful and healthy neighbourhoods. I know it sounds less attractive but it will do more for more people.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the day, I believe, we need a national rail service fit for purpose which means it would need to be a High-Speed train service that spans across the breadth and width of our country. This will improve the network to our communities. Both Cycle lanes and bus routes, safer and healthier neighbourhoods. If we get this right HS2 will have a bigger impact on the wider public and economy. Improve the job market, training and public health.