HS2 rail network causing outrage to the public across the UK - Fundraising for Change discuss

CANARY WHARF, U.K. - July 25, 2013 - PRLog -- More than 100 of Britain’s most important wildlife habitats and dozens of ancient woodlands could be directly affected by the proposed high-speed rail link between London and the North of England, Fundraising for Change take a look at the potential damages.

Many conservationists and campaigners have showed anger at the figures which were discovered without fanfare by the Department for Transport. The figures also showed that hundreds of acres of green-belt land will be lost along with 1000 buildings to be potentially demolished. “It is not an issue that a new high speed rail link is being developed, it is not an issue that it will cost millions to build, it is the environmental impact that it will have on the environment, of humans and animals, with acres of green belt land being destroyed as well as homes, it is a huge price to pay for a rail link” says Sam, manager at Fundraising for Change, a London based fundraising company.

The new rail network is set to travel from London, to Manchester and Leeds. By cutting travelling times, it will produce more jobs in the North thanks to faster commuting in and out of London. “The idea is great, I used to have to travel to both Leeds and Manchester for work and so if this rail network was available it would have been a huge benefit to me back then, and I am sure it will be for thousands now” says Emma, Operations manager and Fundraising for Change, Canary Wharf. So it seems not everyone is in opposition of the new rail network, and many will benefit, but at a huge cost.

Critics argue that the HS2’s case is not strong enough against opposition, and that the risks are ‘enormous’ according to a senior figure. The cost alone has risen almost £10 million from the original forecasted cost, which was not due to begin until 2017. “It is a fact that the line will be built on floodplains, 616 homes plus will be bulldozed and 250 acres of green-belt land will be covered with depots and railway hubs, and that is just the start, with estimations already higher than originally predicted, I can see many more predictions rising, leaving many people feeling outraged” says Sam, Manager at Fundraising for Change, Canary Wharf.

“Not only are people going to be annoyed that these figures keep changing, but it is people lives at stake here” says Emma, Operations manager at Fundraising for Change, Canary Wharf. The documents release acknowledge that there is an increase of flooding in some areas due to the rail network, including the area around Manchester Piccadilly station, money is going to be set aside for potential victims, but this is still causing upset and anger in many places. “Why make people victims of flooding, causing unnecessary damage when this doesn’t have to be done in the first place? There are reasons for flood plains and green-belt areas and it really is going against the grain by creating this network, all for the sake of a quicker journey” says Sam, manager of Fundraising for Change.

Opinions are clearly divided about the works set to go ahead in 2017, but what do you think? Is ruining thousands of habitats and homes for a faster journey really worth it?

www.fundraisingforchange.co.uk