SCORES OF PROTESTERS EXPECTED
Marston Against HS2 are expecting scores of anti HS2 protesters to join them on their Stafford town centre protest walk. The group will assemble around 10.30am in Tipping Street, setting off on the walk at 11.00am from Mill Street junction through to Gaol Square distributing flyers to further raise awareness of the extortionate cost of the HS2 project (currently estimated to be £73 billion – £73,000,000,000 by the Institute of Economic Affairs). Besides such high costs, there will be dreadful disruption for miles around the proposed route as communities; businesses, ancient woodlands and beautiful countryside are destroyed in its wake.
Afterwards, the group will retreat to their stand in Market Square where they will collect signatures to petition Stafford County Council to join 51M which is an alliance of councils that have come together to challenge the evidence base of the HS2 project.
The ‘Stop HS2’ White Elephant which is synonymous with the campaigners will also be joining the action group in the square.
Bob Gasch said that Saturday 28 should be a really busy day in Stafford, as the Support Stafford Hospital also has a walk planned for later that day, making this an ideal opportunity for both groups to raise awareness of their plight.
Pictured below are members of the Marston Action group participating in the recent Kings Bromley Against HS2 walk the route march.
We are.due a meeting next week to talk to hs2 about compensation. last time they came they bought the heavyset with them for protection also there was an ambulance on standby at our village hall . I just wonder who they will bring next week to the meeting . What is all this costing the taxpayer for a tick box exercise, as I very much doubt they will have anything firm to tell us ..but they will have consulted with us!!!
The news that High Speed Broad band is to be installed on trains demolishes further the economic case for HS2, much of which was calculated on the made up fact that high speed was necessary to offset the fact that people don’t work on trains and therefore was unproductive time. Take that away and the cost benefit ratio goes so far south that building HS2 at any price looks very irresponsible.
So the transport minster is fed up of people moaning about hs2 and the costs ,if he lived where we live he would have something to moan about .roads clogged up with lorries people being told they havering to move home the lost of countryside and wildlife and for what to save a little time for the rich to use he needs to get of he’s high horse and lister to the the people who’s life’s are being distoryed
Is there any part of your organisation that is working on plans for an alternative compromise. I see the use for another route from Scotland maybe mostly freight dedicated. Double decking of the West Coast is a cheaper option, maybe at a guess 60 to 80% cheaper with an 80% saving on Carbon usage or whatever you call it.(Every spade of a new route is carbon usage.) Also do all your different factions have a central control because you need strength. You should keep politics or any alignment with any party well away from this project. You will alienate 50% at least of people who might come on board and if you trust anyone in Politics you must be mad. Under Labour HS2 would still go ahead at a cost of £140 billion. Taking the West Coast route, if it costs £1 million to raise a bridge and £1.25 million to dig out and re-set the rails, then say £1billion for the track and 1000 bridges at £1million oh and add £1billion for plant, as they say you do the maths. Part of the other route I would think of using is being re-instated as we speak.
I note from the press that the PM as named his top minsters serving. In the cabinet no mention of praise for his transport minster perhaps we are in for a new transport minster ? You never no
I AGREE WITH PAUL; THIS COALITION, WHILE PRETENDING TO BE PROUD OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE SHOWN NO RESPECT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IT AND THOUGHTLESS COMMENTS ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES HAVE SHOWN THEM TO CARE FOR NOTHING BUT MONEY AND THOSE WITH INFLUENCE,I SO HOPE THEY GET THEIR COMEUPPANCE AND A RECENT SURVEY HAS SHOWN THAT PEOPLE DO NOT AGREE WITH OSBORNE THAT THE ECONOMY SHOULD COME BEFORE THE ENVIRONMENT.
IS THE HEAD OF HS2’S SALARY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN COSTING THIS PROJECT? BY THE DATE OF THE COMPLETION OF THIS ABSURD PROJECT HE WILL HAVE BEEN PAID OVER TEN MILLION POUNDS! LOSS OF FARMLAND AND TOURISM REVENUE SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE BALKANS AND WHILST THEY HAVE NO HIGH SPEED RAILWAY I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE CLEANLINESS,LACK OF DRUNKENESS AND SAFETY OF THE STREETS AT ALL TIMES OF DAY.THESE THINGS IMPRESS ME AND I SUGGEST OUR GOVERNMENT USE MONEY TO IMPROVE OUR SOCIETY FOR ALL NOT JUST FOR A FEW. THEY ARE SO ARROGANT AND I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF THEM LOSE THEIR JOBS.WE NEED TO PRESERVE WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT AND NOONE WILL BE IMPRESSED BY THIS OR OTHER SUCH PROJECTS.
IT SEEMS SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH EAST ARE BEING STARVED OF MONEY AND PEOPLE IN LONDON CHARGED TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN THE PARKS YET THERE IS BILLIONS TO WASTE ON THIS AND OTHER DOUBTFUL PROJECTS.WHEN WILL THESE FOOLS WAKE UP?
THE LIBERALS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE WAY THEY HAVE BEHAVED AND THEY HAVE LET PEOPLE DOWN.I’M SURE FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL CURSE THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE PUTTING SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL GAIN BEFORE THE WELFARE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
MIND YOU I THINK THE ARROGANT BEHAVIOUR OF THESE PEOPLE HAS SET OFF A LARGE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT WHICH I HOPE WILL INCREASE.I AM ALL FOR NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TO FIGHT THESE PLANS.
I AM NOT REALLY A LABOUR SUPPORTER BUT IF THEY PUT FORWARD SOME SENSIBLE POLICIES ON TRANSPORT, HEALTH ETC I WOULD CONSIDER JOINING.
MARK
You have obviously swallowed the spin given out about HS2 Darren Bruce .If you read the data collected on this site over several years and from numerous well informed sources you will see that many towns and cities will have less trains .HS2 only stops at a few stations.It will not provide extra capacity where it is really needed.Much crowding is due to people wanting to use the trains when the cheaper fares are in operation.This will always be the case until they remove those trains an force people to use the HS2 as they have done with HS1.
HS2 is very much needed, the WCML is saturated. While humanity insists on “comuting” to jobs/meetings hundreds of miles away, then more and more train lines will be needed.
and this comment on the day that global warming is 95% of human creation.
HS2 is an ecological nightmare.
It would be interesting to ask the various self interested players such as Boris etd their view on ecology,AONB and SSI and how this marries with HS2. They are playing political games for their own interest but who is safeguarding the environment and the future .
The current coalition will be remembered for their assault and damage to the Green Belt, Forrestry, AONB and National Parks. Their motives have been shaped by their developer lobbyists who obviously are in control of the politics.
b*********
look at reality not media spin.
This is a government that will promise anything and deliver the converse to stay in power.
Their ‘ greenest ever government is a complete fraud! The conservative polit beuaro are as black a black and are basically admen in the service of politicos.
This said as a couple that campaingned 2010o n marginal seats on their behalf on the basis of false promises : as it proved they were dupliucititous and merely campaigning to advantage marginal seats in the last elections.
HS2 is not better it is a creature and creation of political spin. HS2 is a political sop to the North by a party that has no credited history of interest in the North other than to preserve vulnerable seats.\
50 billion is a high price to pay for political football/political lottery especially since Labour have revealed its political origins.
Sadly they, the coliation, are not to be trusted all they seek is power and will use any vehicle to justify themselves and conservative values are trampled on in their rush to power.
Wake up Darren Bruce – every heard of Skype – it should be a breeze using this with the superfast broadband promised by the government, a lot of companies are using this now, according to a previous post on StopHS2 even one of HS2’s own board attended a meeting via Skype!
Many rail networks are clogged not just the WCML, spread the cash and make life a bit easier for other commuters in other areas too.