Telegraph e-paper

HS2 wake-up

SIR – Hardly a week passes without letters urging the Government to scrap HS2. From the person on the street to MPs and a plethora of experts, all highlight changes in working practices that negate the need for reduced, let alone unnecessary, train journeys.

A considerable sum could still be saved, while allowing the muchneeded development of connectivity in cross-country locations at less cost, and with more public benefit. When will the Government wake up? Stephen Howey

Woodford Green, Essex

SIR – Your report (November 20) on local councils and police forces spending millions of pounds on measures to combat the effects of the HS2 construction highlights how truly damaging, divisive and costly the project is.

Many of the community concerns are due to the fact that HS2 is taking vastly more land than our Victorian rail routes did. In addition, the large distances between its stations will not ease travel by motor vehicles, which will potentially increase traffic congestion. All this when the latest passenger figures show a decline in rail travel, particularly as so many companies now accommodate working from home as standard practice.

Ever since HS2 was first mooted in 2009, I have found virtually no appetite for the scheme. The cost is spiralling out of control at a time when the money could be directed to much worthier use.

Mark Treadwell

Birmingham

SIR – Criticism of Nasa’s Artemis programme to return man to the moon seems to centre mainly around the project’s £78 billion cost. However, since this is about £28 billion short of the cost to carry man from London to Birmingham via HS2, many might consider it something of a bargain. Cliff Brooker

Hastings, East Sussex

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2022-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailytelegraph.pressreader.com/article/282033331208186

Daily Telegraph