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Opposition to HS2: A Comprehensive Overview of the High-Speed Rail Challenge in the UK

This document outlines the organized resistance against the HS2 high-speed rail proposal in the UK, highlighting its projected routes from London to Birmingham (2026) and beyond to Manchester and Leeds (2036). Key issues include environmental concerns, inadequate carbon reduction, doubts about the business case, and poor connectivity with existing rail networks. Local action groups, united under AGAHST, have mobilized against HS2 through petitions, protests, and legal challenges. Despite ongoing efforts, HS2 moves forward, sparking continued controversy and public debate.

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Opposition to HS2: A Comprehensive Overview of the High-Speed Rail Challenge in the UK

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  1. ‘Resisting HS2’ The opposition to the high speed rail proposal in the UK WSF/ ‘Imposed mega projects’ meeting Nantes July 2012

  2. What is HS2? • High speed rail line London – Birmingham (2026) then to Manchester and Leeds (2036) • 400kph • 18 trains per hour each way • Cost £34bn

  3. Issues • Environmental damage – very high speed increases impacts • Carbon reduction – not a ‘green’ solution • Business case – only 1.2 benefit-cost ratio • Capacity – cheaper and quicker ways of increasing capacity • Limited connectivity with the existing rail network • Governance – inadequate consultation, no consideration of alternatives, fiddled figures

  4. The campaign – who? • 70+ local action groups between London and Birmingham • United in AGAHST (Action groups against high speed rail) federation • Stop HS2 – campaigning arm • HS2AA – research arm • 51M – Local governments along the route • Right Lines Charter – environmental groups

  5. The Campaign – how? • Spreading the message – petitions, meetings, leaflets, media, songs, White elephant • Parliamentary work – lobbying, parliamentary debates, evidence to parliamentary committees • Political parties – only Greens and UKIP oppose HS2 – 3 main parties in favour • Protest – demonstrations, bonfires, walk the route

  6. How (2) • Evidence – extensive research, rebuttal of government arguments, alternative proposals • Legal challenges – judicial reviews • PR consultants and campaigns

  7. What have we (not) achieved? • HS2 still going ahead but ‘controversial’ • Public opinion polls support us • We’ve won many arguments but haven’t (yet) changed the policy • Campaign still united against HSR not just this route • Despite internal differences (social class, location, strategy, tactics, personalities) and government attempts to split/marginalise us (nimbies....)

  8. Looking ahead • Announcement of detailed route to Manchester and Leeds later this year will bring more opposition • Will legislation be passed before the next election in 2015? • Will our legal challenges succeed (in halting or delaying)? • Will the Treasury stop it?

  9. Stay in touch • Stop HS2 www.stophs2.com (Main blog/news site) • HS2 Action Alliance www.hs2aa.org (Good for background research documents) • AGAHST www.agahst.org (Contact point for Federation) • Our alternative rail plan www.betterthanhs2.org • Action groups (many separate websites – search on ‘hs2’ and settlement name) • 51M www.51m.co.uk (Local government councils opposed) • Specific blogs www.hs2theregionalimpact.wordpress.com (jobs, regional development); www.hs2andtheenvironment.wordpress.com. (Noise and environmental issues) • Independent www.beleben.wordpress.com (anti HS2 but not part of stophs2; refers to rest of Europe)

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