YP Letters: HS2 so much more than a vanity project

From: Ken Redshaw, Harrogate.
The merits of HS2 has divided public opinion.The merits of HS2 has divided public opinion.
The merits of HS2 has divided public opinion.

John Seymour (The Yorkshire Post, July 11) maintains that HS2 cannot be justified because it is a “vanity project” and that the money could be spent on other things.

We need to accept that for the first time in my memory a major railway project had and still has cross-Party support and in fact stage one has Royal assent. We need to realise that capacity on the railway system will not cope with present and projected flows of passenger and freight demand.

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One approach was considered – improve the present rail lines between North and South – but it was soon realised that to achieve this would result in endless closing down of the existing system, not just at holiday weekends but for long periods over a number of years. Even closing down major parts of the system at holiday weekends has caused many problems over the years.

Japan produced a new fast service many years ago because they considered this was the only realistic option to increase capacity without bringing the system to a halt.

Funds will be found as the two stages of the project proceed and should hospitals and schools need funds they will be funded as and when, justified on their own merits. It is not a case of one or the other.

Other rail projects such as HS3 need to be justified separately, but in the knowledge that HS2 will get to Leeds and Manchester in 2033. Incidentally HS2 is not justified purely on the needs of businessmen and women travelling between the North and London. Future generations will not forgive us if we leave their transport system to wither.

From: Robert Craig, Priory Road, Weston Super Mare

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The Government has announced the next stage of HS2, with the awarding of contracts and the routes of the Manchester and Leeds arms.

Lord Adonis thought one day that it would be nice to have to spend less time on the train to Manchester. Next thing, the UK is committed to squandering billions on HS2, the most expensive rail project in the world.

With Britain in a financial crisis of the Tories’ making, how can the Government waste billions on HS2, Hinkley C (doubling electricity prices) and Trident?

HS3 across the North should be given priority over HS2, which will draw wealth and talent away from the North to London and the South-East.

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At the very least, HS2 should begin construction in the North; not in London.

Britain is too centralised; there needs to be an English parliament in Leeds.

David C Barber Lowick, Woodthorpe, York.

Here are my transport ideals for Yorkshire:

Re-open the railway stations at Haxby and Strensall, plus a halt at York Hospital.

Electrify, with overhead wires, between Copmanthorpe and Neville Hill, and re-open the station at Copmanthorpe.

Electrify the line from Hull to Liverpool.

HS2 to have York included in the scheme.

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Dual the A1237 York ring road right through from Copmanthorpe to Hopgrove.

Dual the A64, from Leeds to Scarborough.

However, these will always remain but a pipe dream. The reason being all the above, are some 200 miles north of London.

The funding for Yorkshire stops in a siding after Stevenage.

Criminal slur over rights

From: Dave Roberts, Scunthorpe.

In response to the letter from D Wood (The Yorkshire Post, July 19) who wrote that “The only people using this legislation (i.e. the Human Rights Act) have been some of the most vile criminals this country has ever seen”.

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If that is true, it means the Hillsborough campaigners, an elderly couple wanting to stay together in a care home, rape survivors securing justice, children with learning disabilities getting support to travel to and from school, women fleeing a violent partner to keep their family together are all “vile criminals”. I do not think so.

Also the Human Rights Act is nothing to do with the EU, and hence with the June 23 referendum. It brought into UK law the European Convention on Human Rights – which the UK helped establish in response to the horror and inhumanity of the Second World War.

May I also abhor the slurs made by Bob Watson in his letter in the same edition against the groups Liberty and Amnesty.

Such slurs only increase any subconscious prejudice some of your readers may have against such groups.

Big bags don’t belong on bus

From: Trev Bromby, Hull.

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On a single decker bus I mused at the seating capacity; 46. As a regular commuter I think it should read 40 people plus six backpacks, massive hand/shopping bags belonging to thoughtless or ignorant passengers.

Like cycling on pavements, it is becoming so widespread it is being accepted as the norm. This must not happen. Questioning either anti-social activity is usually met with aggression.

Maybe the bus company can put up a notice “If you wish to occupy two seats you will be charged a double fare!” It’s time to stop the rot.

Tackling abuse

From: Hilary Andrews, Leeds.

What a great idea from South Yorkshire Police to introduce civilian workers to help vulnerable young people who have been abused (The Yorkshire Post, July 17).

Often these children are the product of parents who distrust police. To ask them to talk to a person who is not a policeman, I feel will encourage more abuse victims to come forward.