Alex Green responds to John O’Connell’s HS2 article.

Dear Editor                                                                                                                    

The Taxpayers’ Alliance criticises the building of HS2, but again there is no word about the need or the benefits of the lines or the interaction with Northern Powerhouse Rail. No mention of the building of HS3 across the Pennines from Manchester to Leeds as part of the high-speed network that originates from the building of HS2. No mention of the benefits to the British people designing and building the line nor of the next generations that will prosper from its existence – as we have from the Victorian era.

The Taxpayers’ Alliance needs to accept that a prime purpose of government is to co-ordinate and finance the building of national infrastructure so that businesses and industries can prosper and produce tax revenue. We need these seed corns from government as no private company would undertake the long-winded planning and building processes.

There is a renewed determination to build new national infrastructure. With preliminary work having started in 2018 and now providing 9000 highly skilled jobs, HS2 is shovel-ready for the construction stage, land and property has been purchased and the line has great support in the north and the West Midlands. What better way to rekindle our infrastructure portfolio than to continue with an agreed project that has passed all these tests of public scrutiny. British jobs, manufacturing, building materials, taxes paid and benefits for everyone to tap into – including property developers.