High-speed rail critics say line could become white elephant
Anti high speed rail campaigners have criticised the compensation scheme launched last week for those living near the proposed line.
The exceptional hardship scheme was launched last week after the coalition government extended consultation until June.
Intended to fully compensate people who urgently need to move but are unable to because of the proposals, it now includes groups such as businesses and farmers affected by the line.
If the line is built, Jerry Marshall's garden in Hodgett's Lane, Burton Green will be cut in two. He described the compensation scheme, under which residents trying to sell are effectively obliged to accept any offer above 85 per cent of the house's market value, as "restrictive".
The distance from the line within which people must live has not yet been determined, but Mr Marshall questioned whether those living just beyond this would be compensated.
He said: "We were hoping for something which would mean that anyone who wanted to move could move and would get market value for house.
"Anyone trying to sell a house close to the proposed route would have difficulty getting an estate agent to act for them."
Initially formed to fight for the rights of those affected, the HS2 Alliance now believes it can disprove high speed rail brings any environmental benefit.
Mr Marshall said: "Speed isn't green. Trains that travel at 200mph require something like three times as much energy as a conventional train.
"It's actually going to increase C02 emissions significantly."
Campaigners also believe the business case is flawed. Mr Marshall points to a plateau in long-distance travel, and said the only recent increase in rail travel had been from low-cost advance tickets attracting coach passengers.
He warned one result would be a fall in the number of trains between Coventry and London.
He added: "Economically it's not viable. No private company wants to pick it up."
Ladbroke resident and campaigner Graham Long says the cost of work even before a decision is made on building is too high.
He said: "You can't ignore 1.5 billion at the same time as you are telling nurses they can't have a pay rise and closing police stations at night."
He said the problem is not the speed of current rail travel, but its capacity. Mr Long claims Virgin Trains would be able to solve this by running its Pendolino trains at 140mph on the west coast mainline, providing longer trains and platforms with investment of only 3 million.
He believes there is now nationwide opposition to the scheme and added: "They are set on spending 17.8 billion. It could become the greatest white elephant ever."
The exceptional hardship scheme will remain in place until the Government makes a decision on whether to build the line. This is expected to be in late 2011, after consultation early next year.
www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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