Letters | 23 June 2012

Full steam ahead

Sir: Your cover story (‘A U-turn to celebrate’, 16 June) claimed that the government has ditched High Speed 2: we absolutely have not.

The article was built on three assertions, none of which stand up to scrutiny. Firstly, HS2 legislation has always been planned for the 2013–2014 session of Parliament, as set out in my department’s business plan of over a year ago, and never earlier as alleged in the story. There is no delay, no rethink.

Secondly, as the article points out, I do listen to the concerns of those opposed to the project because I recognise the impact HS2 will have and I care about how I deal with the local communities affected. But no one should think that means I no longer support the scheme. I remain absolutely convinced that HS2 is vital for the future of this country.

Finally, regardless of what an unnamed minister is supposed to have said, the prime minister reiterated just last week that HS2 is crucial for Britain’s economy; he is right and that is why this project is going full steam ahead.

Justine Greening
Transport Secretary
London SW1

Going the wrong way

Sir: Ross Clark is right to highlight HS2’s flaws but the Hybrid Bill will not automatically die at the next general election. The new Parliament may wish to keep it alive.

This is likely to rely on the Conservatives being re-elected with a clear majority (or the coalition continuing), since Labour now supports a better, cheaper, less destructive HS2 route via Heathrow — exactly the proposal supported by the Conservatives in opposition. It is astonishing that vast amounts of public money (£750 million in this Parliament), continue to be thrown at a ‘grand projet’ that lacks any semblance of a business case.