The Government has decided to proceed with plans to build a high speed railway for the nation.

How will it affect the environment? How much money will it take to build HS2? How long will it take to build?

The Government have declared that HS2 will create millions of new jobs for people in the UK, although some members of the public are saying that it will damage the environment and kill the wildlife. The Government have responded to this by saying that the countryside will grow back around it and the HS2 is only going through a small part of the countryside in Britain.

The HS2 will take 15 years to build and cost about 17 billion pounds. Although some of the public do not agree with HS2, being in this financial crisis, the Government say it will be worthwhile.

Many people have aired their opinions on the subject:

“HS2 will not help us to reduce CO2 emissions”

“The rail network is full, we need new lines/ other alternatives are adequate”

“HS2 is anti-regional development & poor economic prioritisation”

By Daisy Butt and Sarah Jackson