“I am against the HS2 link on economic and environmental grounds. I do not propose to go into these arguments; I'm sure you have heard most of them and have been persuaded into one camp or the other.

I was somewhat shocked to read that after consultations were concluded, the government moved the proposed route to go straight through Middleton Farm without notification. Reading about this, I was set to thinking.

What is it about rail travel that tends people towards alternative means of travel? I hazard a guess that getting off a train in Manchester or Birmingham city centre and then having to travel ten miles to your actual destination makes the use of a car far more attractive.

So why not use the billions of pounds proposed expenditure on re-instating the branch lines that were closed by Dr. Beeching and creating new branch lines that can take passengers close enough to their destinations to make rail travel more attractive? I know it would be a massive logistics problem, but could it work? Has it even been considered? And should it be considered?”

“I just wish that I was blessed with second sight. I have re-read the article, then viewed the responses, and I am still mystified as to where any reference is made concerning shutting down all forms of transport, and switching to shanks pony.
Perhaps there is something special in the waters that some imbibe.”

“shut the railways, ban all vehicles and make everybody walk; there will be no more speed and accidents, no more traffic jams around Ventura to moan about and everybody will be fit”

“Personally, I do not think that the secretary of state did not base her decision on anything other than the * done deal*; she had hardly enough time to get her feet under the table, never mind making major decsions. This obscene waste of money, at a time of austerity, was the result of it's inception beginning in Brussels.
I am not a luddite, after all, objections have been made concerning many things that caused upheaval in the past, but, with hindsight have been great for the country. Objections in the plenty were voiced every step of the way in building our rail system. However, politics, like now, stuck it's sticky finger in when Beeching chopped a good thing to pieces, with no plan for the future.
Our rail system at present is not something of beauty tto behold, and is pricing people and commerce out of the picture. For a fraction of the proposed cost, our existing system could be overhauled and extended, with so many benefits, leaving sufficient funds for improving the dreadful state of our roads, schooll building etc.
I believe it is a folly of such magnitude as to be unbelievable, whilst benefitting a select few, very very much along the lines of the so called benefits of ugly, inefficient wind farms.
OscarOneThree does make an important point about the speed factor. In recent years we have seen carnage distributed over a wide area from tthe speeds of today, given also that in many accidents human error has been a factor. Human error causing an accident at these speeds, does not bear thinking about.
The proposed cost will be quickly rise year on, and like the olympics, the people will pay for years and years, whilst the select few gain all the benefits at little or no cost. Not forgetting that the equipment will have a strong foriegn imput, much like the wind farms. Employment, is only a small, but nevertheless important factor, but, returning to the olympics, how many home grown Brits are employed on this build.
Having said my piece, I would welcome comments of a concrete, rather than spurious political ones, concerning the real overall value to the country.”

“Shouldn't we be trying to get right the rail system we already have, with delays, overcrowding and overpriced tickets, and like the buses are wanting on timekeeping?
It seems a great expense so that we can get to a destination slightly earlier than at present.
Everyone seems obsessed with speed. Having been to several train crashes and seen the carnage I hate to think what the results of a train derailment would be when travelling at the proposed speed of HS2.”

“They shouldn't be considered as 'snobs' they are just aware of the effects it will have on their lives and property not only would it cause noise, it would also devalue many property's around the area. I am to sure that any minister pushing for HS2 does not have to face the fact of a high speed railway passing 30 meters away from their garden and if they did many could simply move without the worry of devaluation to their property but for many people with houses that have been passed down through their family its not just de-valuation its sentimental and heritage value. Continually it will also effect many farms and what is left of our landscape, This all needs to be considered including the effect on the economy. It is an expensive project in times of and economic down turn and is being considered carefully, which it should as it will have a massive effect on users, home-owners, farmers and the landscape.

So please consider what you say before calling people greedy pigs everyone has an oppinon which they are entitled to and i am sure you would not like a loud high speed rail way a few meters away from your house.”

“They shouldn't be considered as 'snobs' they are just aware of the effects it will have on their lives and property not only would it cause noise, it would also devalue many property's around the area. I am to sure that any minister pushing for HS2 does not have to face the fact of a high speed railway passing 30 meters away from their garden and if they did many could simply move without the worry of devaluation to their property but for many people with houses that have been passed down through their family its not just de-valuation its sentimental and heritage value. Continually it will also effect many farms and what is left of our landscape, This all needs to be considered including the effect on the economy. It is an expensive project in times of and economic down turn and is being considered carefully, which it should as it will have a massive effect on users, home-owners, farmers and the landscape.

So please consider what you say before calling people greedy pigs everyone has an oppinon which they are entitled to and i am sure you would not like a loud high speed rail way a few meters away from your house.”

“bring it on snobs thinking about what you will loose greedy pigs”