HS2 Action Alliance Blog

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Philip Hammond told everyone last Tuesday (13 September) even the current trains are a rich man’s toy.  We are glad he acknowledges our point on this.  So why does he think we should build HS2 – at a cost of £17bn of subsidy to the taxpayer?  It certainly isn’t because he expects a more representative ridership in future – his officials predict fares will be 50% higher than now – and that is even before any thought of premium fares as with HS1.

Philip Hammond said that while factory workers may never travel on HS2, they will benefit from their bosses doing so.  Perhaps not a seat at the feast, but a share of the crumbs that fall to the floor.  But because the government’s sums greatly exaggerate the benefits (eg assuming people don’t work on trains), this feast in reality would be very slim pickings.

But, irrespective of this, only 30% of passengers will be travelling for business purposes – his figures not mine.  The other 70% will have personal reasons – shopping trips, visits to the theatre, holidays.  How will Philip Hammond’s factory worker benefit from his boss and family enjoying subsidised travel to do this?
How can Philip Hammond seriously propose proceeding with HS2 – which costs £32bn and will provide subsidised transport for the rich in 15 years time – when local transport lacks the funding to help people get back into employment, education and training right now?

Can wasting a fortune so the government can play ‘high speed trains’ really be the right priority?