HS2 - THE MYTHS AND THE TRUTH
MYTH 1
“HS2 will be profitable”
THE TRUTH
HS2 will lose money. Your money.
MYTH 2
“HS2 is green ”
THE TRUTH
Speed is not green. HS2 will create twice the emissions of conventional trains.
MYTH 3
“HS2 will deliver wider economic benefit and cure the North / South divide ”
THE TRUTH
The Department for Transport says that 73% of estimated new jobs will be in London.
MYTH 4
“HS2 is essential to solve capacity problems ”
THE TRUTH
Alternatives more than meet future demand for a fraction of the cost and benefit all rail users along the line.
MYTH 5
“HS2 will greatly reduce domestic air travel ”
THE TRUTH
There are no air services from London to Birmingham. Airlines confirm that any slots vacated further north will be filled by international flights.
MYTH 6
“The UK needs to catch up with continental Europe ”
THE TRUTH
The UK has been ahead for a long time. Europe’s high speed rail systems are in difficulties. They are a warning of what NOT to do.