Rail plan just a fast track to ruin for North

THE high-speed rail project is aimed at getting more people down to London quicker.

The place is already overcrowded and our total economy is focused there. We really should be trying to revitalise the rest of the country right now and not in 20 years’ time

If the money was spent on encouraging companies to “do a BBC” and move out of the capital, everyone would benefit. But how?

If companies were offered huge rates or tax discount to move out of the South East – say 25 per cent for moving more than 100 miles, 30 per cent for more than 150 miles and so on – I am sure that we would see a positive result. But the carrots would have to be big enough.

The increase in regional production, plus the reduction in benefit payments as the level of employment rises in the regions, would quickly justify the costs involved, but the HS2 cash could provide the kick-start finance that is necessary.

From: Rodney Atkinson, Meadowfield Road, Stocksfield, Northumberland

THE HS2 rail line is a classic London idea “to help the North” but will typically cost a fortune and end up benefiting the South.

I totally reject spending up to £70bn on a railway which will take 25 years to reach Leeds with no plans to reach Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Government should spend half or even a quarter of the sum in linking with the faster tracks and trains of the northern cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Carlisle – as well as the northern airports and ports (some of which were the great gateways to the Empire).

As our trade with the declining European Union subsides and our trade with the rest of the world increases, the North-Eastern and North-Western ports and airports are critical and investment in rail, road, sea and air would reap rich dividends.

Now that really would make a difference to the North.

Link with unions vital

From: George McManus, Labour’s Global Role Policy Commission, Long Riston, East Yorkshire.

People don’t vote for parties which are divided.

This is as true in Britain as it is in Australia.

There are right-wing elements in the British Labour Party who give the impression that they don’t care who runs the country as long as they run the Labour Party.

The same elements seem determined to bring down Ed Miliband. The debacle over Falkirk merely highlights their determination for Labour to break the link with the trade unions, whom they see as being responsible for Ed’s election as leader.

Trade unions which represent millions of people will have a key role in electing Ed Miliband as Prime Minister. Their support should be valued and the 
link strengthened, not weakened.

The most valuable commodity in any political party is 
loyalty.

Ed has shown great leadership over Syria and is being let down by people who are loyal not to him but to themselves.

Just as ditching Julia Gillard sounded the death knell for Australian Labour, getting rid of Ed would be a disaster for the Labour Party and, more importantly, for the country.

Chips in cages
causes rages

From: Brian H Sheridan, Redmires Road, Sheffield.

I AGREE with my namesake Karl Sheridan who is irritated by the somewhat twee manner in which food is often served in eateries (Yorkshire Post, September 7).

The only positive is that you burn off more calories sorting out the paraphernalia than the dish contains.

I blame the Americans. Paradoxically, the presentation at downmarket McDonald’s is as fussy as it gets. I suppose health and safety comes into it but I have fond memories of a chip shop whose only concession to hygiene was a small piece of greaseproof paper to separate your soggy chips from the News of the World.

Which brings me to Karl’s “chips served vertically in a cage”. In the good old days no chippy worth its salt and vinegar would, or could, give you chips that would stand up but you can now get a “cone of chips”.

Have you seen Peter Kay’s take on garlic bread? I wonder what the brilliant comedian would make of a cone of chips.

Flying the flag

From: Don Metcalfe, Annes Court, Southowram, Halifax.

What a delight it was to watch the Last Night at the Proms on the television.

Ably led by Marin Alsop, the first ever lady conductor, it 
was great to see the orchestra respond to her leadership with a crispness and enthusiasm rarely seen.

Benjamin Britten’s National Anthem was a great finish to the programme.

But oh dear me ! As a Boy Scout, I was taught to fly the Union Jack in the correct manner.

Broad white stripe to the top of the flag pole. Any other way is a sign of distress.

Approximately 50 per cent of the flags on show were wrongly flown.

But have I got it wrong again?. Maybe dear old England is in distress!

Core values

From: Anthony Hopkins, Carlton Drive, Guiseley.

RECENT reports indicate an excellent growing season for British apples.

The other morning I set out to – hopefully – buy some new season English Cox’s apples.

Apples from Chile, South 
Africa, USA, New Zealand were all on display – doubtless picked some while past, well travelled and usually totally lacking a decent flavour.

But where were the British 
Cox’s or other English apple varieties?

Nowhere to be seen.

Buy British to support our producers, we are urged.

If only.