Some recent HS2 news items

Birmingham Mail: Curzon Street cat to rise up from the dead

Birmingham’s most bizarre Victorian relic is on track for a purr-fect journey to immortality.

A mummified cat – buried alive under the floorboards of Birmingham’s Curzon Street train station in 1838 – could have pride of place in the new station to be built in the city as part of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail network.

Computer Weekly: Sir Charles Dunstone supports spending HS2 cash on better broadband

Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk chairman Sir Charles Dunstone says he supports the argument that the £33bn budget for the HS2 high-speed railway would be better spent on improving the UK’s broadband infrastructure.

Critics of the HS2 plan say that by its projected 2026 completion date, trends such as mobile working and video conferencing will mean that fewer people will need to travel from the north to and from London.

Bucks Herald: Aylesbury MP defends decision not to vote against HS2

Speaking at a HS2 Action Alliance event in Wendover at the weekend, the Aylesbury MP said: “What I’m going to do on Wednesday is not take part in the vote.”

The minister for Europe said he would have to resign from the Government if he voted against it.

Lichfield Live: Campaigners call for action after report brands HS2 “a £33billion gamble”

A new report has cast further doubt on the benefits of HS2.

The New Economics Foundation has said the project demand for the high speed rail line – which will cut through Lichfield and surrounding villages – has “likely been overstated”.

Express and Star: Devastation in wake of HS2 route revealed

Among the trail of destruction is one of the country’s oldest golf clubs and more than 160 wildlife species and special habitats which will be torn up as part of the first phase of the £33billion project.

Shef Biz: Chamber calls for HS2 concerns to be resolved

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has called on the Government to quickly resolve concerns raised by businesses affected by the high speed railway development.

Current plans see the HS2 route pass through existing sites of key manufacturing companies in the Lower Don Valley area of Sheffield.

Consultation on the proposed route is underway, but the Chamber is keen for action to be taken as soon as possible to avoid an impact on the city region’s economy.

Richard Wright, executive director at Sheffield Chamber, says: “It is clearly unacceptable to choose a route that cuts through major businesses. What we need is an early resolution to the consultation to remove the doubt and allow the businesses along the route to get on and operate and invest with confidence. – See more at: http://www.blmforum.net/en/blm/News/2971#sthash.bkV1NDIV.dpuf

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