Michael sets out the arguments against HS2
As the Prime Minister meets MPs newly elected in 2019 and who are opposed to HS2 this afternoon (Wednesday 22nd January), Michael Fabricant has taken to social media to set out the arguments why HS2 needs a total rethink. “The Oakervee Review into HS2 was a rush job” says Michael “with Douglas Oakervee its Chair admitting that just 3 months did not give them enough time to consider alternative routes in any depth. There needs to be a much longer and professional review.”
Michael has over 37 thousand direct followers on twitter and usually reaches well over a million people on social media each month.
Michael tweeted out seven key arguments against HS2:-
The many reason why there needs to be a serious rethink about #HS2:
1) The Oakervee Review only had 3 months to consider their options. Chairman Douglas Oakervee has admitted it was not long enough to consider alternative routes.2) #HS2 Phase 1 between London and Birmingham does NOT link to #HS1 and the Channel Tunnel, NOR to #Heathrow, NOR to #Birmingham New Street – the main rail interchange station. It is a disconnected route.
3) #HS2 does not meet its objective: to provide a faster city centre to centre, and greener alternative to flying between cities like Manchester to Paris because there is no direct route.
4) #HS2 the present route was mapped for ultra-high speed travel & carves through unspoiled ancient woodlands destroying the local environment when there was an alternative. #HS2 will not now travel at this speeds yet the route remains.
5) #HS2 should use existing transport corridors such as the M1, M40, or a widening of part of the West Coast mainline to reduce environmental damage and costly tunnelling.
6) As an alternative to #HS2 to relieve congestion on the West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and London, existing underused rail routes could be used or widening of pinch points north of Rugby and elsewhere.
7) The cost of #HS2 is now reckoned to be in excess of £106 billion. #Crossrail (much shorter) is managed by the same team as #HS2 and ls late and is overbudget.