HS2: The Hidden Human Toll Behind Britain’s Ambitious Railway Project

by

Kate Lamble, host of the Radio 4 series Derailed: the Story of HS2, notes that people exhibit a sudden, deep breath upon discussing HS2. These individuals are either those who have been personally impacted and have endured its effects for more than a decade, or they are politicians for whom it was once a significant matter for a short while in the past. For numerous people, the experience has been emotionally destructive.

In simpler terms, it’s no wonder that political instability and short-lived government officials have played significant roles in the series of events. Currently, the planned completion of “High Speed 2” (HS2) – a date for which is still undecided – will make it Britain’s second high-speed railway system after the London-Channel Tunnel connection (known as HS1). This new line will stretch between Birmingham and London. Initially, plans dating back to 2009 under Gordon Brown envisioned extending HS2 all the way to Manchester and Leeds; however, those expansions have since been scrapped.

According to Lamble’s explanation, Andrew Stephenson, who served as the sole HS2 minister in 2020 under Boris Johnson at the Department of Transport, was inspecting train carriages in a factory when he received a call from Boris informing him that Boris had stepped down as leader. In simpler terms, Boris Johnson called Andrew Stephenson and told him that he (Boris) was resigning, effectively dismissing everyone.

With the new prime minister came a significant shift in strategy. Johnson was resolute that the project would thrive, stating, “The Treasury must not have the final say on HS2.” However, Rishi Sunak, previously the chancellor, took a different stance, believing that the expense should not overshadow the advantages, and accordingly adjusted the plan for the high-speed rail line.

According to Lamble, who was recognized with an Aria award for her comprehensive coverage of that Inquiry, “Grenfell Tower’s story is intricate and extensive, yet it hasn’t been fully conveyed in the news. With Grenfell, the headlines focus on ‘the cladding’, while for HS2, it’s ‘the cost’. The nuances and what it reveals about how our country operates are often overlooked.

As a passionate enthusiast, I’ve sought out conversations with an array of individuals. From Boris Johnson and the ingenious mind behind the new high-speed rail project, to industry insiders blowing the whistle, and those who sadly had to part ways with their homes due to its construction – I’ve listened, learned, and been genuinely taken aback by their honesty.

Jonathan Loescher led Lamble to observe the once flourishing garden he had nurtured, which was situated close to where his former home stood in Staffordshire prior to its demolition. Construction on that part of the area has since come to a pause.

Initially planned to address congestion near London, HS2 faced challenges right from the start, as a previous CEO shared with me that the original budget was calculated based on only 3-4% of the actual project details being known.

Previously, Patrick McLoughlin explained that the parliamentary bill [for HS2 approval] would grant them planning permission. However, he made an error in his statement. What it actually granted was deemed planning permission, which means local councils and other agencies have the authority to oversee the specifics of the project’s design instead.

Essentially, it was necessary for the central government to take into account specific issues from local areas. For instance, they needed approvals for 8,000 changes, ranging from significant ones like building more tunnels to minor adjustments such as relocating a water fountain. Balancing budgets and deadlines has been challenging; the High-Speed Two (HS2) project now symbolizes our struggle to conceive grand projects and execute infrastructure delivery effectively.

Lamble expresses his disagreement: “Indeed, I was taken aback that the transport secretary wasn’t aware of the type of planning permission he was seeking. However, this raises a more significant question about the kind of Britain we aspire to be. We inhabit a compact, populous, property-owning democracy, and every action has its repercussions.

In my perspective, we don’t possess the freedom to carve through open landscapes or bypass public dissent as a centralized authority like China might do. However, we have accomplished substantial projects such as HS1 and some new nuclear facilities. Advocates of HS2 contend that upon its completion, it will be a triumph, and eventually, the public will overlook the financial excesses and delays.

Read More

2025-07-08 03:14