High speed impact?

Published: 29 April, 2010

• I APPLAUD the New Journal’s leader Comment columns about patronising top-down government with regard the proposed train route for the High Speed 2 (April 15 & 22). 
It is typical of this government’s “nanny knows best” self-conviction that, without recourse, it announced proposed wholesale destruction of thousands of Camden’s residents’ homes to the west and north of Euston. So much for consultation when three options were considered and two rejected by the unelected Lord Adonis.
While I can see sense in building a high speed rail route from Heathrow to Scotland via Manchester to transfer air travellers, I see no point in knocking 30 minutes off the Euston to Birmingham train journey which will cause no modal shift but would have a devastating impact on inner London.
Yet again, our MP Frank Dobson makes sympathetic noises but it is his government that has dreamt up the proposal. It’s just like the promised, but withheld, £283million for bringing Camden’s housing stock up to standard, our MP has had nil impact on his pals in his government.
PAUL BRAITHWAITE
Liberal Democrat candidate, for Cantelowes