1. HS2
Hs2 stands High Speed 2, which is a proposed
high speed rail link that the Government has
proposed should be built linking London first
to Birmingham, then Manchester and Leeds
and eventually Glasgow.
High Speed 1 has already been built and links
the Channel Tunnel to London
2. Many people argue that HS2 is a very important project and must be completed.
Key points made to support the idea include:
It will reduce the North-South divide that currently exists, creating wealth
in many towns and cities in the North
The completion of the project itself will take many years and will itself
generate lots of jobs in the construction sector
Our current rail network is very close to full capacity and the new line is required to
reduce overcrowding on our other networks
The HS2 trains will dramatically reduce journey times and are planned to be
among the fastest in the world
Large amounts of freight will be able to be moved quickly and efficiently
around the country and will reduce the number of lorries and hence congestion
and pollution on the motorways
4. Many people are against the idea of HS2 and say the project must not go ahead
Key points made to support this argument include:
The construction of the line will be very expensive, particularly at a time when
the country is facing great financial pressure
The Route cuts through a great deal of countryside which will be destroyed as a result.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Chilterns will be destroyed for ever.
Habitats and feeding areas for many wild creatures such as protected Bechstein’s bats
will be destroyed
The trains are very noisy and will generate a lot of noise pollution
Those communities most affected by the line will not be able to use it because there are
so few stops
Time-savings made are minimal and not worth the cost involved. It is argued that
technology such as video-conferencing will reduce demand for business travel by the time
the project is completed.
