Via 51m.co.uk,
Councils opposing HS2 say that although they have no objections to the principle of high speed rail, they will continue to fight the current flawed proposals, following news that the Government plans to press ahead with the £32 billion project. Leaders will be examining the decision and considering whether there are grounds for a legal challenge.
“This is an immensely bad decision for Britain,” said Martin Tett, Chairman of the 51m alliance of local councils challenging the scheme, and Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council. “At a time of national austerity with rising unemployment and a massive deficit how can spending more than £32 billion on a rail line be justified? Virtually all objective analysts have condemned this project. The business case is fundamentally flawed, it doesn’t deliver the extra capacity where and when it is needed on the main commuter routes and it fails to help regenerate manufacturing industry in this country.”
“At a time of national austerity with rising unemployment and a massive deficit how can spending more than £32 billion on a rail line be justified?”
Not being spent *now* though is it? Crossrail spending is *now* though, and it’s the same per year as HS2 will be. Any complaints? I mean how can we afford that at this time of “national austerity”? Oh that’s right, it’ll allow you to get around London easier, so that’s ok then.
Dear Government, I earn £24000 per year gross, and pay about 45% of this to you, in various taxes (income tax, national insurance, council tax, VAT, TV Licence, fuel duty, etc). I would appreciate it if you stopped spending a significant proportion of my income on ridiculous schemes, such as HS2.
Regards,
Nick