24 01 HS2 Update for the Chiltern Society (7)

20 January 2024 - Chiltern Society online update on the impact of the construction of HS2 across the Chilterns.

[@Phil-oj5nr]

I imagine the Chiltern Tunnels are more expensive to build than the Colne Valley Viaduct Had the track gone through a shallow cutting as on the Paris to Calais route, a massive amount of money would have been saved. I am aware this is a very controversial project, but I feel it must be pointed out. I think the commentary was very balanced however.

[@TrevorWilliams-fq8mg]

The Colne Valley viaduct is scheduled to cost 2 billion and the Chiltern Tunnels scheduled to cost 1.30 billion

[@tyberostheredwake]

@@TrevorWilliams-fq8mg would it have been cheaper to make one tunnel set from old oak common to south heath

[@garethpeck5299]

A very thorough overview and well explained with really useful labels on the photos. Thanks for taking the trouble to make this update.

[@bobrayner7349]

The UK has a crushing shortage of houses, business premises, and infrastructure. NIMBYs are the reason.

[@EdgyNumber1]

Very true. By my dad's house, a company want planning permission to build houses to extend the village and shocker, their plans for green space and local amenities/services was sensible. My dad supported it because he knows first hand how difficult it is to get a good quality, reasonably affordable home in his area. NIMBYs said no.

[@ade9685]

Good in depth overview of HS2 in the Chilterns very informative look forward to July 13th instalment. As another commenter said it’s not about the cost it’s about the positive outcome it will bring to the traveller and freight. The existing network is full and new pathing and possible new stations and lines are nigh on impossible to fit with the current network.

[@jimstewart2141]

To my way of thinking spending £7billion a year on improved infrastructure is much better than £49billion on Defence, why is this project is always about cost and not value for money and improvement of connectivity. Our government can happily spend £3.5 billion on the war in Ukraine but not improve life chances of citizens in the north of the UK!!! HS2 is another example of the Tory's appalling waste of money to line private industry's pockets. We need the whole of it and the High Speed across the Northern Corridor so as we can use existing railways to move freight.

[@Whiskey2shots]

exactly this!

[@TomTomicMic]

We spend money on defence to hopefully not use it, if we have to use it you will see why all money spent on defence is worth it, ask the UK in 1939 for example and there is a war on Europe which Russia threatens to take further!?!

[@jaurie80]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇲

[@SeanDavies-x7e]

Enjoyed that Keith, thank you for taking the time to do this 👍

[@howardjones6752]

I always enjoy these video updates ~ but for gods sake enough of the bloody oak trees. Tree’s are transient fixtures on the landscape. Perhaps you should dwell on the council wasting public money on planning appeals.

[@JohnSmith-xl8cb]

I hate HS2

[@martinsloman6905]

Very interesting update as always. Seems that this is the peak civil engineering construction period with work beginning to wind down with the completion of the Chiltern Tunnel. Look forward to the July update.

[@DavidKnowles0]

There only another 24 months or less of heavy engineering left on the London to Birmingham section on the line. Then it kitting out the line and stations with all of the electronics, an sensors and communication equipment. Late 2028 is when they start trialing trains for a 2029 opening. An I believe they are ahead of schedule on most of the line now.

[@carguyuk7525]

Brilliant update. Thanks for making these videos.

[@vormulak]

Great work Keith. I live very close to the north portal so this info is good.

[@anthonyjones-s8z]

its always old codgers talking about how it looks on the landscape there is nothing wrong with the viaduct your time is nearly up let young people make the decision after all they will live with it

[@Domdeone1]

It is the young people that will be paying off the present national debt & HS2 has already been given a 'no value for money' rating, it is also their environment that has been jeopardized with an open door global policy will need another two Birminghams built. I don't envy the future for the next generation other than to emmigrate while the older businessmen & politicians make these decisions NOT young people

[@martinsloman6905]

@@Domdeone1 HS2 was given a red 'appears unachievable' rating. So was the Elizabeth Line but that is now one of the most heavily used passenger railways in the country. The negative environmental impact of HS2 is probably at its maximum now but the completed line will be so shielded by tunnels, cuttings, noise barriers and tree planting that it will hardly be noticed. Whatever development pressures arise due to population increase, the release of freight and passenger capacity on the rail network will help reduce their impact. The M40 motorway affected the Chilterns not just by its construction but by encouraging commuting to London and so increasing house prices and land values. Railways tend to encourage higher density development - mainly in existing urban areas. Also, if you are encouraging people to emigrate doesn't that result in an immigration problem elsewhere?

[@Domdeone1]

@@martinsloman6905 Touble is we have several continents of peoples descending on this island, there are much less populated countries l can only imagine. Maybe the long term gain of this railway will benefit a generation or two down the line but the contracts have got a few very, very rich a present prices when everyone else is tightening their belt

[@keithhoff1]

Than you for your well reasoned and thoughtful comments.

[@duncanwilson5170]

@@Domdeone1 It was the young people who paid for the first and second world wars!

[@StephenWalker42]

Thank you for a very interesting talk through the HS2 route, I can see a lot of work has been put into this video and it will be a great record for years to come, thank you Keith.

[@keithhoff1]

Thank you Stephen, I appreciate your comments. It has indeed involved a lot of work.

[@darrenraymond5334]

very interesting thank you

[@AndrewYork-y5u]

An incredible amount of research. Thank you so much.

[@keithhoff1]

Thank you for the comment. It is much appreciated.

[@keithrookledge2031]

a pity the images ar not sharp

[@keithhoff1]

They look pretty sharp to me.

[@SeanDavies-x7e]

@@keithhoff1 and me!

[@kindnessyet2159]

Its taking way too long to build. Is all the workers stuck in bullet time. Wallace and Gromit could lay tracks faster. No wonder the bill for this project is ballooning. Its some thing we dont need to a place no one wants to go. Even london didnt want it.