It was supposed to unite the country, but the government’s recent announcement that HS2 is to proceed ‘full steam ahead’ is set to divide the nation’s opinions, much in the same way that Brexit has done for the last four years.

I have no plans to take sides. There are obvious benefits to making the country a smaller place operationally and that’s directly in keeping with our desire to isolate ourselves from the rest of Europe. One person’s economic benefit is another person’s cost, depending on which side of the argument you sit. Beginning to sound familiar yet?

The human side of the story

On the other hand, there are personal sadnesses, with homes and businesses that have been precious to people for decades being compulsorily purchased to make way for the rail line. That’s the human side of the story and you can’t help but sympathise with those directly affected. I would hate for it to happen to me.

We’re all looking at environmental issues more closely these days, and in many ways rightly so. If that’s part of this argument, then it supports the government’s decision, as train travel tends to carry one of the lowest carbon footprints of long-distance transport. It doesn’t beat the bike or the feet, of course, but they’re not practical answers for the miles involved in this debate.

The financial cost is huge

There is the north v south element to the debate too. I can’t help feeling that’s politically driven. Until the current Prime Minister won so many seats north of Birmingham for the first time last December, there was only token commitment to integrating the country in this way.

All of a sudden, it’s become full-on. The financial cost is huge, and we can only hope that the government’s accountants have done their homework on the pay back that such investment will deliver.

For me, it’s all part of the demands we all make for our daily lives to be conducted at a faster and faster pace than ever before. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s healthy, but for the moment, I can’t see a way of slowing it down.