PEOPLE against HS2 need to think more carefully about the real issues – in particular its real life impact on local, ordinary people.

The West Coast main line from London was carefully and expensively (£17 billion) modernised in recent years and is now not only nearly full but also cannot be further expanded without massive work on track, stations and lineside.

Increasing the capacity of the existing WCML would mean completely rebuilding most stations, widening cuttings or embankments (Hartford – take out the pub and lineside houses?) and endless delays to normal commuting and/or travel.

Thousands of ordinary folk would suffer from construction work with loss of gardens or houses and tens of thousands from traffic delays lasting years.

Is this really what we want? Those with experience of French TGV or Japanese railways know that, when existing lines are fully developed, the only solution is a new alignment. Support HS2 and use your energy to input views that ensure it goes to the right places and has the best local connections.

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