Letters: White elephant devastation

Jul 28 2011 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

THERE is much local concern about the devastation that this white elephant of a project will cause as it ploughs through the Chilterns, but this is just part of a £34billion problem.

The train will go non-stop from London to the West Midlands in Phase 1, which will be operational in 2025, and then additionally to Leeds and Manchester in Phase 2, which will be completed in 2033.

In each phase the cost will exceed any benefits, and will be environmentally damaging.

Philip Hammond, the transport secretary, openly supports the 'Yes to HS2' campaign, and has set up a company - HS2 Ltd - to drive the project forward.

In the so called consultation period which ends on July 29, Mr Hammond quite openly criticised those who have had the temerity to question the viability of this project, which seems strange when the government is at the same time asking for public response to the proposal.

He has referred to them as Nimbys (not in my back yard), and in a live TV debate he stated that anyone who was opposed to HS2 was a Luddite. So much for open government.

I am delighted to see that our MP, Cheryl Gillan, has recently recognised not only the local issues but the national financial and environmental considerations, and has taken these to the Prime Minister. Let us hope that other members of parliament have the same courageous approach.

The £34bn should be invested in much more needy areas, such as education, health and social services, and we all need to make our views known by responding to the HS2 consultation response form before the deadline.

STAN MASON Shepherds Fold

Holmer Green