Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably heard a lot about the building of HS2 in the UK. The HS2 project is supposed to provide England with a new high-speed and low-carbon railway that links London with Birmingham. While the original plan was to have this railway go a lot further up the country, the idea behind HS2 is to allow people to travel the length of the country at a moment’s notice.
There have been many setbacks and opposition to HS2 since the idea was first announced in January 2009. Despite this, work has already begun on the project, and the government plan to have the railway open and running at some point between 2029 and 2033. So, with all the discussion surrounding the project, what are the high points and low points of HS2?
Pro: Low Carbon
The initial plan of HS2 is that it will work on zero carbon emissions as it is powered using just electricity. In an era where being eco-friendly is a must for all future endeavours, this is a huge swing in the favour of HS2.
Since London and Birmingham are two of the biggest industrial centres in the UK, a lot of people working in business spend a lot of time travelling between the two cities. Before HS2 is opened, the only reliably fast way to travel to the other location is by car on the motorway. That means there is a lot more carbon emissions on the roads because of these trips. Hopefully these emissions will be wiped out with the introduction of HS2.
Con: Costs
While there are certainly positives to having a high-speed railway at the heart of Britain, many people have found themselves asking why now? The estimated budget of the HS2 project is sitting around £88 billion, and the intended distance of the railway has already been cut short because of a lack of finances.
These exorbitant costs have left a lot of people wondering whether this money would not be better used elsewhere- especially in an age where many people are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis. A lot of residents have found that the cost of the HS2 project is largely unfair given how it only stands to benefit a small portion of the country’s population. It is particularly frustrating for Welsh residents and businesses, who would prefer their tax be used on infrastructure projects which are solely needed in Wales.
Pro: Providing Jobs
Although times are hard now, people can always benefit from the introduction of more jobs. Fortunately, the HS2 project is expected to take another ten years to complete. That means that there are a lot of job opportunities open for those willing to work on the project.
The building of HS2 has opened up a need for more builders, engineers, and material suppliers. Plus, there will be a huge need for drivers and train technicians in the future. in an age where people are struggling to put food on the table, you cannot argue that the surplus of jobs that the HS2 project has created isn’t a good thing.
Con: Ugly
Britain may be a nation where entrepreneurs need to get from one city hub to another in an eco-friendly manner, but the country is also known for its natural rural beauty. That is why many people are against HS2. There is a worry that this long trainway across the country will disturb the beauty of the countryside.
While there has been some effort made to make the HS2 project blend into the scenery, it still sticks out like a sore thumb. Green tunnels are being implemented into the design, so the train does not disrupt too much of the scenery, but that isn’t always good enough. Just think how those large concrete tunnels are going to look juxtaposed against the historical architecture in Birmingham. Many surveys need to be taken out to assess the ecological damage. Bat surveys are just one of those, and these surveys are useful for anyone looking to move forward with a project.
Pro: Economic Benefits
The proposed speed of HS2 claims that the train will allow commuters to travel between London and Birmingham in less than an hour. From there you can use other rail services to quickly travel to other parts of the country. While this speed is beneficial to the tourist trade, it is also going to have a huge boost for the economy.
Firstly, the cost of HS2 is being spread over twenty years. This means that the huge £88 billion figure isn’t as devastating as it first appears. Secondly, faster travel times mean quicker results for the business sector. This means that people can get a lot more work done during the day so more money can be made and put back into the economy v – although again, this will not help Wales.
Cons: Destroying Nature
Although the overall plan of HS2 is to cut carbon emissions to improve the environment in the future, the construction of the project has led to a lot of environmental damage. Engineers have had to remove huge swathes of trees and countryside just to make room for the project. These environments are where much of the UK wildlife makes its home. This means that the HS2 project has had a devastating effect on local animal populations.
HS2 also found itself on the news when the Aylesbury Council and tree preservation society had to call out engineers for removing ancient trees in the Aylesbury Vale Woodland. The project also took down the two-hundred-and-fifty-year pear tree in Warwickshire. These are the only places where this type of foliage can grow, so HS2 has permanently had a negative impact on the British countryside. The project did have a two-week delay after the Aylesbury incident, but these delays are only causing this project to cost more money.
Summary
It doesn’t matter what side of the debate you fall in regard to the HS2 project; you cannot deny that there are some strong arguments on each side. What’s more, the project is still going ahead regardless – despite the many protests. This means that we will not truly know how effective this railway becomes until at least ten years in the future.
Either way, however, Wales is unlikely to derive any benefits.