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Is HS2 a disastrous decision for the nation?
ACCORDING to High
Speed UK (HSUK) the MPs decision to overwhelmingly vote in favour of the HS2
rail link, that took place on 24 March 2016, leaves the United Kingdom with:-
"a hopeless mess."
MPs in the House of Commons voted in favour of Phase 1 of the project, which
will run between London and Birmingham. The legislation will now go to the House
of Lords.
High Speed UK (HSUK) experts, Colin Elliff and Quentin Macdonald, founders
said:- "It is deeply worrying that only 1 option for a high speed rail
line has ever been presented to Parliament. There is no evidence that HS2,
either with or without HS3, has ever been designed as a national network and
there has been no consideration as to how the line will operate. It beggars
belief that MPs can blithely nod through a scheme that has been so ill informed
from the outset. Although the task of designing a fully integrated national rail
network is a highly technical matter, it is relatively simple to demonstrate
HSUK's overwhelming technical superiority as a national railway network. HS2 Ltd
knows all about the superior HSUK alternative, but continues to pursue its own
discredited proposals. This constitutes fundamental abuse of due process. As a
result of ignoring Government policy on transport, regional development, the
environment and land use, the resulting HS2 design is a hopeless mess. It is
impossible for HS2 to work as an efficient national network and there are
countless failures to the designs put forward by HS2 which in our view render it
utterly unfit for purpose. It seems abundantly clear that there has been a
catastrophic failure in the processes underpinning the Government's HS2 project
and it is necessary to determine exactly how and why the HS2 project has gone so
badly wrong."
HSUK's campaign coordinator, Jack Irvine added:- "The last week has
demonstrated beyond doubt that this government, and Chancellor George Osborne in
particular, finds it challenging to analyse complex political and financial
situations, although it is encouraging that he changes his mind with alacrity,
especially when he sees disaster looming. I have no doubt the UK Parliament have
embarked on a project that will have disastrous consequences, both financially
and from an infrastructure point of view. The electorate should also note that
MPs, desperate to get away for their Easter break, took a mere 37 minutes to
discuss what will almost certainly be the biggest project of this century.
Lastly, the chief flaw in Mr Osborne's skewed logic is that faster rail links
will indeed have a major effect on the economy; the London economy! Nobody in
the City I know is desperate to get to the north of England or Scotland any
quicker, however Northern business people will simply find London a more
attractive destination to do business and benefit the already wildly successful
economy. That rather blows Osborne's Northern Powerhouse rationale for HS2 out
of the water."
(HSUK) experts, Colin Elliff and Quentin Macdonald, both said:-
"Worryingly there is no evidence that HS2, either with or without HS3, has ever
been designed as a national network. There is also no evidence that any
responsible authority Government, HS2 Ltd or Network Rail has considered how the
entire national network will operate, with HS2 and HS3 in place, to deliver the
required capacity and connectivity. Looking at the current plans, there are a
plethora of concerns that we need to be aware of at this crucial stage. For
instance, HS2's stations are few in number and many major UK Cities will be
bypassed. In addition to that, there are no credible proposals to explain how
disconnected stations will be linked to surrounding communities and there is no
effective co-ordination between HS2 and any future 'HS3' transpennine routes!
All these indicators point to an alarming picture whereby the intervention of
HS2 would seem to impair overall connectivity rather than enhance it. It is
highly concerning that the Department for Transport's overview of the case for
HS2 Phase 1 and the environmental impact fails to acknowledge any of these
negative issues that will directly affect the constituencies of many of the MPs
who will be voting on the HS2 Bill."
HSUK has been designed from the outset as a fully integrated national network.
It offers:-
► Direct high speed links between all of the UK's principal regional cities.
► Direct links from these Cities to Heathrow (and Gatwick), and other principal
regional airports.
► An integral transpennine link meeting all aspects of the Northern Powerhouse
remit.
► A 4 track spine route aligned via the M1 corridor.
► Complete avoidance of the Chilterns AONB, and other sensitive areas.
► Potential transport sector CO2 reductions estimated at 600Mt, over 40 years.
The spokesperson for HSUK added:- "Although the task of designing a fully
integrated national rail network is a highly technical matter, it is a
relatively simple matter to demonstrate HSUK's overwhelming technical
superiority as a national railway network. There are many failures to the
designs put forward by HS2 which in our view render it utterly unfit for purpose
as a national railway network. They also call into question most if not all of
the justifications for HS2, upon which MPs will be basing their voting
decisions. It seems abundantly clear that there has been a catastrophic failure
in the processes underpinning the Government's HS2 project and it is necessary
to determine exactly how and why the HS2 project has gone so badly wrong."
For more information on HSUK, please visit:-
HighSpeedUK.Co.UK.
What do you our readers think? Please email us your views to:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
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Win up North! North West Region scoops gold at National
Indoor Games
THE North West
Region of The British Polio Fellowship is celebrating following their victory at
the charity's National Indoor Games, held at the Leicester Marriott Hotel,
between 18 March and 20 March, 2016. Led by Branch Chairman Mike Griffiths, a
jubilant North West team accumulated enough points to walk away with the Gordon
Lumb Trophy for Top Region, having beaten teams from ten regions across the UK
to secure first place.
The games saw those living with Polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) competing
against each other in 9 disciplines adapted to allow wheelchair users and
people with other mobility issues to participate.
"I would like to congratulate the North West on their victory at the Indoor
Games. It was once again another hard fought contest but is also the one event
in our calendar when members from across the country get to meet and socialise.
It is about relationships and fellowship and as such it was a pleasure to
welcome a team from Northern Ireland once more." said CEO of The British
Polio Fellowship, Ted Hill MBE.
A record 229 attendees and 132 competitors arrived at the Leicester Marriott
Hotel for the Indoor Games having qualified from ten regional heats to compete
across nine games:- Kurling; Bowls; Darts; Boccia; Draughts; Cribbage; Dominoes;
5's and 3's; and Scrabble. Medals were awarded to the winners of each sport with
the Top Trophy renamed in memory of late Games Coordinator Gordon Lumb and
presented at the awards dinner by Chair of the Championship Committee, Christine
Lumb.
The North West stormed to victory with Andrew Gilliland securing gold in
draughts and Tom Maddock and Dinesh Gorasia coming silver and bronze
respectively in the darts sitting; a feat repeated by Howard Parker and Harry
Jackson coming 2nd and third in darts standing. Chairman Mike Griffiths himself
came 4th in Cribbage, while Lyn Morton came third in a tense Boccia (Class 1)
event.
The North West were confirmed in 1st place, with East Midlands in 2nd and
Scotland in 3rd. The big surprise was the absence of the Yorkshire region from
the top 3 after years of dominance, despite David Howells continuing his winning
streak in the darts (standing).
"Each year the Indoor Games has something new and 2016 has proved no exception."
added Ted. "It was an emotional event as the first without Gordon
Lumb, but John Haddock and Pat Parker, together with Shirley Russell and the
team of officials and staff from Central Office did Gordon proud. Record numbers
of attendees, record competitors, a team from Northern Ireland and the tensest
games I have ever seen will be long remembered."
As the Boccia events moved into their final tense stages, people finishing in
other events came along to watch. You could hear a pin drop as victories for
Home Counties North and East Midlands in Boccia class 1 and 2 could have changed
the result. Lyn Morton's hard fought 3rd place for the North West was enough to
edge the East Midlands region into second place overall, despite an amazing
individual performance from the East Midlands' Sharda Karia to take gold in
Boccia class 2.
"There was an added buzz to be playing the games in Leicester as the Foxes edge
ever closer to a fairytale Premier League title. The East Midlands Region was
keen to make it a Leicester sporting double and they will be hoping being edged
into second is not an omen for Leicester City's prospects!" said Ted.
The British Polio Fellowship provides support and information for its members
along with others in the UK who live with the late effects of Polio and PPS. To
find out more about The British Polio Fellowship and to learn about the late
effects of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome visit the charity's
website.
Mersey Ferries announces Spring Sailings
AWARD winning
Mersey Ferries is delighted to announce that its unique Manchester Ship Canal
Cruise Spring Sailings will begin again on Saturday, 9 April 2016.
An unrivalled heritage experience, the Spring Sailings will offer a fascinating
insight into the history of the Manchester Ship Canal, its waterfronts and the
famous landmarks that punctuate its landscape.
Cruises depart from:- Pier Head, Liverpool; Seacombe, Wirral and Lowry Outlet,
Salford Quays, from where passengers will be treated to a 6 hour, 35 mile
cruise, along 1 of Britain's most historic and grand waterways. The awe
inspiring and truly memorable excursion takes in some of the North West's most
stunning scenery and dramatic architecture including the sharp, contemporary
MediaCityUK, home of BBC North, the Grade 1 listed Liver Building and much more.
On board commentary will tell the story of how this magnificent canal shaped the
Cities of Liverpool and Manchester, as passenger's journey through locks and
bridges constructed more than 100 years ago.
Most sailings offer a 2½ hour stopover at the end of the cruise to allow for
sightseeing in the vibrant locations of Liverpool or Salford Quays. Liverpool's
Albert Dock houses the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in Britain,
with highlights including Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum and The
Beatles Story. While at Salford Quays, visitors will discover The Lowry
Galleries, Imperial War Museum North and designer shopping at the waterside
Lowry Outlet.
Mersey Ferries' Manchester Ship Canal Spring Sailings are priced at £39 each and
can be purchased
online, by calling:- 0151 330 1444 or at
any Mersey Ferry terminal. All cruises are 1 way, with coach transfers
provided for the return journey (included in price).
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