HS2 and boating

SINCE the proposal of HS2 (high speed rail line) was announced there have been objections from boaters and boating organisations of it being too near to canals to upset their 'peace and quiet', writes T. Lang.

It was a programme last night, Thursday, that brought to mind just how far we have fallen behind with our railways, with the programme clearly showing from George Stephenson and his Rocket through to Sir Nigel Gresley and Mallard this country led the world in high speed rail, but alas well overtaken by others, with France's TGV shown reaching a speed of 357mph.

Needs high speed rail

Whilst our trains can only manage just over 100mph tops, with the exception of course of the Eurostar, that even then trundles along until it get through the tunnel and then its 186mph, with the TGV services 200mph and above. And of course unlike air travel trains are city centre to city centre. This country needs a comparative new high speed rail network, that will surely ease road traffic.

As to the noise that boaters complain about, there will be a 'whoosh' for a few seconds and that will be that.  To my mind preferable to that thump-thump of those so called 'traditional' engines that you can hear approaching miles away, whose owners always like to have their side hatches open so we can all suffer.