23/02/2021
A bit about us, and what we've organised to do; plus some links to the evidence on our site and in our Twitter threads.
We are members, some elected, some not, who think we should support HS2 because it has a big role in a low-CO2 sustainable transport network for the UK in the 2030s and beyond. HS2 supports our sustainable transport goals, nationally and locally.
We think the GP’s position is politically harmful and short-sighted: it puts us at odds with other GPs in Europe and with our own policy, at the same time aligning us with the IEA, TPA, UKIP and other fringe groups with no interest in sustainability. The party’s position makes us look like a pressure group rather than a national organisation with a serious transport policy. It diverts our campaigning energy from the real enemy: the govt’s road plans which are much more destructive and have NO sustainability case.
We will engage politely and patiently on here or personally with Greens who want to know more and who respect where we are coming from. We want to persuade, not harangue. We will at all times respect the Party's Code of Conduct. We make it clear we are not speaking for the Party.
For a clear 5-minute read of why is a good idea, we suggest you start with an article. HS2 is the only option for Britain’s railways - The high-speed rail project comes with huge economic and practical benefits, but politicians have failed miserably at explaining them, Jon Stone argues:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hs2-logistics-financial-benefit-controversy-a8937936.html
And for a more in-depth view and the sustainability case, we suggest this Twitter thread by Gareth Dennis: https://twitter.com/GarethDennis/status/1206959258832691200
So who are we, and what do we want? Our goal is a change in policy on . This will need to be by motion at a party conference. We are gauging and focussing support for such a future motion. For starters, we say that we're going to need more rail capacity if we're going to get to net zero. Read more here: https://hs2.green/who-we-are/ and https://hs2.green/its-green-party-policy-to-oppose-hs2/
Much is said about the threat makes to woodland and other habitat. Sadly this discussion has been overtaken by raised voices, alarmism and lack of context. Our more sober take here: https://hs2.green/108-ancient-woodlands-destroyed/
For some reason many objectors to HS2 have heard, and now believe, that is there to drive up air travel. It isn't and Greens wouldn't let it: https://hs2.green/stimulate-air-travel-nonsense/
We are asked how can we support HS2 when , who are building it, behave so badly. Our case for building it is based on the need for the railway, not on any fondness for the organisation presently in charge:
https://twitter.com/Greens4HS2/status/1261985409892069376?s=20
And here's our thread on some common misunderstandings Greens have about :
https://twitter.com/Greens4HS2/status/1281868800305115137?s=20
Some Greens think that is extravagant in its use of energy. A thread on why that's not so...
https://twitter.com/Greens4HS2/status/1283025156386979841?s=20
Greens worry about the effect of HS2 on the chalk aquifers in the Colne Valley and chalk streams in the Chilterns, and the amount of water used for tunnelling. Here's why this concern is overstated: https://hs2.green/chalk-streams-and-drinking-water/
Greens will have heard the calls to cancel and use the money to fund the NHS instead. That couldn't ever happen and it concerns us that even quite senior Greens think it could. Our explainer on how investment is financed: https://hs2.green/100bn-for-a-railway/
A big criticism levelled at is that it won't be carbon-neutral. Of course, the picture is more complex than that: it will be, especially with Green transport policy helping it. A note on HS2 and CO2: https://hs2.green/120-years-to-carbon-neutrality/
Many Greens sympathise with the protestors against , including many dedicated party colleagues. We say their zeal is directed at the wrong target. A thread on vs the diabolical road building programme : https://hs2.green/ris2-the-real-enemy-is-roads/
One of the clearest and most well-known policy positions the Green Party of England and Wales holds, is to scrap HS2…isn’t it? Well – that depends on what you know about the policymaking process of the Party. The truth is, what is policy and what’s made out to be policy are two different thi...
