Do you have any strong points of veiw or will the route will affect you, have your say here.

Did your MP go to the debate about High Speed Rail in March ?

It was held in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament, on Thursday 31st March between 2.30 and 5.30

It’s was arranged by MPs Andrea Leadsom, Geoffrey Robinson, Dan Byles and Peter Bone. Geoffrey Robinson has come out against HS2 already – even though it does not pass through his constituency.

See the proposed route here :-

http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/in-your-area

The Consultaion Document on HS2 is here :-

http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/

The Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) for property owners affected by the proposed high speed rail line from London to Birmingham is open for applications

Property owners on, or in the vicinity of, HS2 Ltd’s recommended route - Route 3 - who urgently need to move, and would suffer exceptional hardship if they are unable to do so, can apply for the Government to buy their property at its full unblighted value.

For full details and application forms :-

http://www.hs2.org.uk/assets/x/64304

If you want to say 'NO' to HS2

http://stophs2.org/

If you support HS2

http://yestohs2.blogspot.com/2010/10/case-for-high-speed-2-hs2-answering.html

http://www.yestohs2.co.uk/

As someone living in Birmingham I like the idea of a high-speed link to London. The problem is that we already have one!

The quick 'Pendolino' service can get from Birmingham International to Euston in 70 minutes or so (Weekdays), it's only another ten or so minutes from New Street station.

Do we actually need this line considering the poor shape our finances are currently in?

I have always loved travelling by train but feel that HS2 might be a waste of money!

I live about 25 miles from Birmingham and would have to travel there first to use this line, and the 2 train journeys would take longer than the present journey to Marylebone. What's the betting that service would be cut though. No doubt that's a reason Geoffrey Robinson is against it though as it's likely to impact on the number of trains available to his constituents in Coventry. The only ones to benefit will be people in London and people in Birmingham - if they can afford the higher fares.

On top of the waste of money on the line at a time when so many cuts are being made, they're talking of a new station next to Birmingham International. Is there really the need for a new station when New Street is already being totally revamped?

Curious that it's being discussed in Parliament tomorrow when a full blown 6 month "consultation" has just started. So much money has been spent on it already I don't see a consultation at this late stage making a difference without one hell of a fight.

http://stophs2.org/

I am on the 'No' bus (or train whatever)

It would take a lot to get me to support this idea. My own views are that this vast amount of money would be better spent bringing other rail services up to date.

For to long, down here in the southwest, we have sat (or more likely stood,) on overcrowded, cold and 'late' trains.

RV

I am on the 'No' bus (or train whatever)

 

It would take a lot to get me to support this idea. My own views are that this vast amount of money would be better spent bringing other rail services up to date.

For to long, down here in the southwest, we have sat (or more likely stood,) on overcrowded, cold and 'late' trains.

 

RV

isnt that the truth.

Its nigh on impossible to get to London in time for a meeting on the train, a lot of people fly up from Newquay or Plymouth.

I agree that the trains need investment and better services, and possibly even more tracks (maybe widen existing ones or reopen old lines), but I don't see why it all has to revolve around London?

I went to Birmingham International on Friday night and when I got to the station (a small country one) it had been pulled down. Money is clearly being spent to improve the platform and lots of work going on, but nowhere to buy tickets, so assumed we had to pay on the train. There was a collector but he took so long and we were only on for one stop so he didn't reach us and we had to get off before the train moved off again, so ended up not paying.

I couldn't help wondering if the benefit of savings from removing a manned station were lost by loss of revenue in unpaid fares. In this case it was less than a couple of quid but you get my point .....

On the way back we bought tickets for the journey back but again they weren't checked and there were no barriers so we could easily have got away without buying one. How long can they keep that up?

Sort out the current problems before spending £17 billion on another line to mess up.

our local station is the same Caro.

yet, the last stop is one of those ticket zones, and if you get the connection there is no time to buy a ticket at that station... its all very dodgy.

the fares are very expensive, the train is crowded, where is all the money going?

Minister for Europe and MP for Aylesbury, David Lidington has called for a secret government report on HS2 to be made public.

18 bridges in West London will need to be replaced and Hanger Lane Gyratory rebuilt if HS2 goes ahead. Keni Brennan of HIllingdon Against HS2 & Stop HS2 is interviewed by Nick Ferrari on LBC radio.

Isn't it strange that when HS1 was put out in the public domain, it went through 'on the nod'. Houses were demolished, listed buildings ended up within yards of the line, farms were broken up, and all because the politicians decided it. The public were kept in the dark, and those that did find out what was to happen, were told that it was in the public national interest to have it - so put up or shut up! All of this on top of the Channel Tunnel excavations and destruction. Even today people are still fighting for compensation after finding the 11.12pm out of St Pancras hammers past at 100mph+ just yards from their bedroom window at gone midnight where previously the only sound would have been the Barn Owl hooting away.

Now we are looking at HS2 and oh what a commotion there is. Same problems, but now going through the Tory heartlands. Is it to become the Beckhams v HS2?

Not in my backyard I hear said.