Nothing good to say about HS2 Trading places, changing remit

MARK Keir’s letter in the Gazette (28.3.18 ) is right to question those who oppose freedom of speech and freedom to protest peacefully about the planned HS2 (high speed rail link) between London and Birmingham and eventually Manchester and Leeds.

They have a right to protest on the Harvil Road as a democratic right.

HS2 is not just going to cut the country in two it is going to destroy communities.

The plans of the HS2 hierarchy keep changing. The initial costing of £32billion that was once quoted now stands at £56bn and possibly rises to the astronomical figure of £104bn.

How the country can contemplate the ridiculous inflated cost in the light of possible Brexit divorce figure, the tragedy of funding in the NHS and the cuts in the education and public service budgets.

The Woodland Trust disproves the HS2 green corridor idea that is being mooted in the project. Mark Keir suggests that 98 ancient woodlands will be affected.

Endangered Bechstein bats are other causes for concern along with many woodland animals in the Chilterns.

As a Hillingdon resident I am upset that our lovely green borough and wider England could be adversely affected by HS2.

Mark and others in the Harvil Road protest have unselfishly given their time to oppose HS2. I believe HS2 will not give more economic prosperity or consistent employment opportunities.

At a time when we have a considerable national debt have we not already sufficient rail networks in the UK?

You can read the agreements reached with Hillingdon Council, the Secretary of State for Transport and HS2 enshrined in the act of 2017 at Hillingdon.gov.uk.

I am worried that the mitigation factors are not being taken seriously enough, as the Hillingdon householder, the environment and woodland and field animals of all forms will suffer in the years before HS2 finishes in 2033.

The top speed of trains would have to be reduced anyway to 300km an hour so that noise levels can be diminished by 30%.

No other country in the world runs trains faster than this. I cannot think of a good thing to say about HS2.

Ian Herne Hillingdon I read Keith Taylor’s letter “EU membership adds a dimension” (5.4.18). There was no second referendum allowed after Britain voted to join the European community in 1975 – even though the rules had significantly changed since we joined.

When Britain voted to go in, it was called the “Common Market” or “European Economic Community” and we were told it was simply a trading arrangement with a very small number of similar countries, which seemed a sensible idea.

There was no mention then that it would become a political union, taking over individual countries’ right to make their own laws or that the EU would take on many more nations from Eastern Europe with no border controls allowed.

If we remain in, it seems there may be ideas for an EU Army and that Britain may be forced to adopt the Euro as its currency.

None of this is what we signed up for. Broadcasters keep saying that the referendum result to leave the EU was a narrow one at 52% – but this is one of the largest majorities for anything that the British public has voted on in recent years.

Most UK general elections are won with around 42% of the vote. Even Tony Blair at the height of his popularity, only received a 43.2% of the vote, yet his election victory was described as a “landslide!”

A Wills Via email