Letters: Extra passengers won't cover costs

Jul 21 2011 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

YOUR two-page spread detailing various statements of individuals and groups opposed to the HS2 rail proposal gives the impression of nimbyism that the transport minister referred to.

I am against the proposals but for the following reasons. 1 The distance from London to

Birmingham (200 miles) will not generate sufficient time-saving to attract the number of passengers to cover the capital and operating costs. The proposal to have a connection to the West Coast Main Line (WCML) north of Lichfield confirms this. 2 The connection to the WCML will require two different types of train to operate the line, one type to access the continent via

HS1 and one to access WCML. The latter type of train will be a one-off design and cost almost double the normal cost of a high speed train, £52million pounds against £29million according to the consultation handouts. 3 The proposal to extend the HS2 to Manchester and Leeds increases the number of junctions which reduces both average speed and capacity. It will require further tunnels through the Peak District and Southern Pennines increasing the overall costs and lowering the design speed.

4 Successful high speed routes on the continent are between 250 and 350 miles long, equivalent to London to Newcastle/Edinburgh. The obvious route for a high-speed line is up the east coast of England from Stratford to the north-east of England/Scotland. A direct connection to HS1 at Stratford would also allow freight trains to operate to the continent.

5 Construction costs would be relatively low, power could be obtained from wind farms sited in the north sea and it would bring a much-needed boost to the economy of the north east.

G R HEATH Chenies Avenue

Little Chalfont