The controversial HS2 high-speed railway has been given permission to be constructed this week despite receiving strong opposition from several groups.
The high-speed railway, which will initially travel between London and Birmingham and should be running by 2026, will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 250mph, and will cut travel times between the cities by almost half. The railway could eventually extend further north, travelling to cities such as Leeds and Manchester.
Despite the economic prospects that the railway could bring, such as jobs and growth, the £33 billion project has come under heavy opposition, particularly from environmental supporters. The track will run through green belt land and also the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, when the railway was approved, it was announced that extra tunnelling would be put in place so that such areas were not as affected. Other revisions have reduced the number of homes at risk and the number which may be affected by noise. The revisions include a longer:
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said, "I have been mindful that we must safeguard the natural environment as far as possible, both for the benefit of those enjoying our beautiful countryside today and for future generations."
Mike Fox, Chairman of the Chilterns Conservation board, takes an opposite view, stating, "We are appalled that the Government has committed to destroying nationally-important countryside when it has a legal duty to protect it." He added, "It has also blatantly ignored the results of the public consultation which showed massive public opposition to HS2 and ignored the recommendations of the Transport Select Committee."
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