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‘ Resisting HS2’

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

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‘ Resisting HS2’

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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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