Concerned with Government on high speed rail

Richard Ramsden, Halifax

I was pleased to hear reports that the controversial eastern leg of HS2 from Birmingham to Leeds is to be abandoned, along with the new Northern Powerhouse Rail line between Leeds and Manchester.

Major transport infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail (HSR) new motorways (£27bn) should be primarily based on the essential need to combat climate change, by elimination of net CO2 emissions by

2038, and to improve human wellbeing through reduced congestion, improved air quality, active travel, and public transport.

The net financial and economic growth benefits of HSR as well as major road schemes are too high when the carbon costs of construction are weighed in the balance against the priorities of future carbon and environmental savings.

Rail electrification will often give quicker benefits for the local environment and the global carbon budget, and there is a danger that long term projects (HSR or major roads) will take resources from shorter term enhancements (eg regional rail improvements or local buses or active travel) that will benefit more people more quickly.

Since 2010, environmental progress has faltered with, for example, a failure to implement zero-carbon requirements for new buildings, and slow progress on renewables including tidal and direct solar as well as wind power.

My concern is that, Government, under pressure to recoup public borrowing associated with Covid 19, HSR and major highways is likely to lead to cut environmental budgets.

The Government says, instead of HS2, £96bn of funding will be committed for new rail routes in the North and to largely upgrade existing lines. The government is expected to say they have put money aside to explore setting up a tram service for Leeds.

Let us hope these will not also be scrapped as a proof of government levelling up and building back better promises.

I and the rest of the of our community has heard anything about this.

Sowerby as a village/ township has been in existence for well over 1,000 years having been mentioned in the ‘Domesday Book’ as the capital of Sowerbyshire, during which time Sowerby Bridge appeared.

Now to be sent a letter announcing a referendum

BRUCE MURRAY