Chancellor George Osborne has reiterated the government’s support for the multi-billion pound HS2 rail project, saying it will “change the economic geography of this country”. Do you agree?
We need extra capacity on the railways, in a way that will allow vastly more freight, local and commuter trains, and won’t cause mass disruption on the existing network. We need more jobs in the North. If not HS2, then what?
Alison Owen, Leeds
It will boost the “economic geography” of the contractors and professional planning objectors. The money would be far better spent on improving what we have, to meet current needs beyond the London/Midlands region, rather than attempting to meet forecast needs that will not be as expected.
Gib FitzGibbon, Ayrshire
As I suffer the relentless tyranny of being “always connected,” the quiet coach of today’s trains is the last refuge where I can think or work uninterrupted. Please don’t make my journeys any quicker.
Keith Thomas, Derby
It’s very bold of a politician to push for such an expensive project, when business leaders are suggesting it’s not financially viable. I would like to see a breakdown of the projected changes this will bring, financially, culturally, and to the environment. Then an informed opinion can be drawn about its value for money.
Phil Bennett, Newport, South Wales
Do the numbers back it up, compared to what can be achieved by many smaller, regional projects? We should be pragmatic and apply the money how it can make the most positive change. If collected data says that’s by building HS2, then so be it. But I haven’t seen any data that says this, so far.
Rory Manning, Leamington Spa
Yes, our railway network has had years of under-investment at best, no investment in reality. HS2 will bring local transport investment as well as national investment, opening up the country, allowing major cities, other than London, to benefit.
Scot Fisher, London
I do not think this will change the economic geography for the better. If anything, it could do the reverse and allow long-distance commuting so more businesses end up in the already overcrowded South East.
John Dealey, Hertfordshire
All roads lead to Rome/London! What about a link from Scotland through North East England and on to the Channel tunnel, with only a spur/siding to London? Break the South East sink effect so regions can go direct to Europe.
Paul Hogg, Scotland
HS2 will speed travel between key cities but without a fully integrated transport system to reach destinations away from the main hubs it will be difficult to realise the benefits. Until that happens the economic change will be in the transfer of fares into HS2 shareholder pockets.
Roger John, Bridgend
It’s vital to invest in big infrastructure projects as they change the economic landscape. Whether HS2 is the investment that should be made still hasn’t been proven. That said, it is time that investment of this scale is made outside London. Investments of this kind also create high-value export business.
James Blanchard, Dubai
Yes! Our economy grew around the amazing infrastructure built decades if not centuries ago – and yet now we will allow our risk-averse and profit-centred collective consciousness to prevent us from making any meaningful progress.
Tom Hughes, Cheltenham
It will create jobs and be a headline engineering project that we should be using to sell the benefits of the profession.
James Barry, Warwick
Germany, France, Japan and South Korea have benefited from high-speed rail services for decades. It is high time that Britain does so, too.
Joachim Neff, Daegu, South Korea
I can’t help thinking that the money would be better spent on broader infrastructure renewal projects. With wi-fi connections, why do we need to invest billions in order to save the odd 30 minutes here and there?
John Saunders, Rosemarkie
Without a network covering all the country it will only affect a small part of the economic geography and possibly not for the better!
John Green, Darlington
No, I do not think it will make a huge difference in closing the North/South divide. I do think it would be a good thing, if we could afford it, but do not think it is a high enough priority to spend this much on.
John Whitty, Lancashire
It’s likely to create a white elephant. Would be more sensible to invest in and improve existing rail and road links with the Midlands. HS2 will wreck countryside and be another taxpayer burden.
Barry Durrant, Devon
The country needs to make investment in infrastructure outside of the South East. An unbalanced nation is an inefficient nation.
Jeremy Pullin, Gloucestershire
I’m sure it will, but whether it is worth the cost is another question.
Emily Cheung, Hemel Hempstead
I think he is deluded.
Jamie Davies, Llantrisant