Speeding trains will ruin our countryside
HAVING attended roadshows, consultations and information sessions and a parliamentary Select Committee meeting, we feel we were correct in assuming that, from day one, HS2 was a done deal. This is despite all the opposition and the fact there is no convincing justification for this hugely expensive venture, which has amounted to £2.3 billion so far with not a track laid. Living 350 metres from the proposed route, there will be a huge impact on our family life. We moved to the Chilterns several years ago to enjoy the pleasant countryside in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but this is about to be destroyed. The HS2 route will carve a swathe through the Chiltern Hills to make way for trains speeding past at more than 200 mph, pylons, security y fencing, stagnant drainage ponds, viaducts, bridges and tunnels. Apart from all the Government’s misinformation and cover-ups on HS2’s economic viability, plus the questionable effect of opening up a northern powerhouse and bridging the North-South divide, the construction will cause upheaval, noise, pollution and congestion on all the local roads. The Government’s Need to Sell Scheme has helped some homeowners affected by the property blight along the proposed route, but for many, there are just too many hoops to jumpj through.th hW We accept the importance of economic development for the benefit of the whole country, including infrastructure projects to improve transport and communication. However, we do not see the need for such a massively expensive project whose estimated cost goes up by the minute and for LETTER OF THE WEEK WIN our unique Letter Of The Week Magic Mug, courtesy of Printer Pix. These reveal our special Daily Mail Letter Of The Week design when hot. To create your own personalised photo gifts (see example, right) visit printerpix.co.uk. The Readers’ Letters editor will announce the Letter Of The Week each Friday. Write to: Daily Mail, Letters, 2 Derry Street, Kensington, London, W8 5TT, email letters@dailymail.co.uk or fax on 020 7937 7493, including your full postal address and telephone number. which there are more cost-effective alternatives. Future generations will not thank us if we stand idly by while the environment they will inherit is being destroyed — no matter how quickly they might be able to get from London to Birmingham. MiKe ALLen and PAuL RussO,
south Heath, Bucks.