THE knowledge HS2 Ltd have of what is going on more than a few centimetres below the surface of the preferred route for HS2 Phase 2, is practically non-existent.

They have literally only flown over the preferred route, after drawing a line on a map that avoids large areas of housing.

This particularly applies to the vast areas of rural Cheshire over which the ‘line’ has been drawn.

When challenged about what they will do if a ‘sub surface problem’ arises, the answer that has been given that they will throw money at it.

This begs the vital question, if they intend to throw money at problems they have no knowledge of at present, how can anyone place any reliance on the published budget of £48bn?

One answer they might give is, ‘we have a contingency to cover any such problems’; this begs a further question, if you have no idea what you might find following a ‘sub surface survey’, how can you possibly estimate the size of the contingency required?

Then a further question arises, how far below the surface will they survey, 10m? 20m? or should they go deeper in areas of known subsidence?

I’m sure there are many more questions in relation to what the eventual cost might be; but the most important one is surely, can we trust the Government’s assertion that they can bring HS2 in on budget when there are so many uncertain and currently unknown cost implications. Would you consider buying a car if the vendor can’t tell you what is under the bonnet and can’t tell you how much it might cost to repair?

Ewen Simpson Mid Cheshire Against HS2 Canal Cottage Whatcroft Hall Lane, Whatcroft