Related
Recommended
Andre Farrar

Is it a good idea to have a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham?  Simple question – so what’s the answer?  It should be yes shouldn’t it?

Along with many others – in particular the communities along the, as yet, undefined route – we await the publication of the Department for Transport’s report into High Speed 2 (HS2) which will bring much needed clarity. This report is expected towards the end of next month.

Here’s the check-list we will be applying to the report when it arrives on our desks:

  • HS2 must avoid damage to environmentally sensitive and protected areas.
  • It should contribute to carbon reduction targets (taking account of the carbon costs of construction, the trains used, the success of shifting from high-carbon modes of transport and the type and amount of energy being used to power the trains).
  • HS2 must not be viewed in isolation from the rest of the transport network and other policies aimed at cutting carbon and protecting the natural world.  There is a risk HS2 will pre-empt the National Networks National Policy Statement (NPS).  We hope, at least, to see the NPS published alongside the HS2 report – failure to link HS2 fully into local national and international rail networks would be inexcusable.
  • HS2’s (considerable) funding must not suck resources out of the rest of the rail network.
  • There should be full compliance with environmental law in planning HS2, including assessment of reasonable alternatives to the preferred route option as part of a full Strategic Environmental Assessment.

In our experience, there is a world of difference between wanting to support a good idea and taking a position on an actual proposal.  We won’t know our position until the report is out and we’ve had a chance to look at the detail.

You may be wondering why this proposal is HS2 – HS1 was formally known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.  I can recall the creeping dereliction that was caused by the endless uncertainty over the route into Ashford.  The stakes are massively high to get this right – if you live between London and Birmingham, let me know what you think.