British democracy is a strange thing. It gives you and me a right to question everything. Power in the hands of ordinary folk and all that....
Having said that, it is also a mechanism for wasting time, money and a huge excuse for nimbyism. About 20 years ago, the proposed Avon ring road went uncomfortably close to where I was living in south Gloucestershire. The government and local authorities had been delayed by wrangling along the way with assorted pressure groups. Despite this, local roads were upgraded and fears grew about increased traffic and loss of business.
True, traffic increased. That was likely due to increased vehicle ownership per household. Local businesses actually expanded, as quick deliveries were now possible. Journeys from the northern border of south Gloucesterhire to south Bristol were now done in minutes, rather than the 1.25 hours it used to take. Pity a light railway wasn't built alongside.
More people were in the area, possibly lured by the carphone warehouse/next/new look/pc world et al type of retail parks just off the ring road. When bored of that, they often ended in a local pub, restaurant or small shop. It took the main local bus operator 15 years to make the most of this. They are now trying, at least, but being Firstgroup, obviously they know everything except how to run an affordable and reliable service.
Everyone's worst fears didn't materialise. I was saddened a bit; the ring road ploughed through farms and fields where my youngsters and I went for rambles to look at moo-cows and red tractors. Now, one youngster rides a 700cc motorbike on the ring road to and from work. I hope he remembers some of the time spent playing in these fields with his old man.
Whether HS2 will bring perceived benefits to all areas remains to be seen. But not to build it seems utterly foolish. Successful countries have fast rail links to most regions. Of the ones I've used, there have never been delays because a high speed train had been stuck behind a slow-running choochoo...
Having said that, it is also a mechanism for wasting time, money and a huge excuse for nimbyism. About 20 years ago, the proposed Avon ring road went uncomfortably close to where I was living in south Gloucestershire. The government and local authorities had been delayed by wrangling along the way with assorted pressure groups. Despite this, local roads were upgraded and fears grew about increased traffic and loss of business.
True, traffic increased. That was likely due to increased vehicle ownership per household. Local businesses actually expanded, as quick deliveries were now possible. Journeys from the northern border of south Gloucesterhire to south Bristol were now done in minutes, rather than the 1.25 hours it used to take. Pity a light railway wasn't built alongside.
More people were in the area, possibly lured by the carphone warehouse/next/new look/pc world et al type of retail parks just off the ring road. When bored of that, they often ended in a local pub, restaurant or small shop. It took the main local bus operator 15 years to make the most of this. They are now trying, at least, but being Firstgroup, obviously they know everything except how to run an affordable and reliable service.
Everyone's worst fears didn't materialise. I was saddened a bit; the ring road ploughed through farms and fields where my youngsters and I went for rambles to look at moo-cows and red tractors. Now, one youngster rides a 700cc motorbike on the ring road to and from work. I hope he remembers some of the time spent playing in these fields with his old man.
Whether HS2 will bring perceived benefits to all areas remains to be seen. But not to build it seems utterly foolish. Successful countries have fast rail links to most regions. Of the ones I've used, there have never been delays because a high speed train had been stuck behind a slow-running choochoo...
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