HS2 part 1

For some time now politicians have been working on the design and presentation of HS2, not only from London to Birmingham, but recently the northern extension to Leeds and Manchester. To both projects I support. I have had communications from a number of well known supporters of this scheme including a lovely letter from Lord Adonis, who as a member of the then serving Labour Government, kicked started this project.

I believe that the present administration will this Spring present a Hybrid Bill to Parliament for consideration and ultimately Royal Assent for the London to Birmingham section first. This project will go ahead, despite the bellicose and short sighted actions and statements from those against. It is a great pity that our cash strapped local authorities, namely Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the likes are wasting council tax payers money on legal objections that they will loose. I am a council tax payer and would like to know why my County Council are squandering my money!

However, enough of my diatribe and lets look at what will happen in this two part post.

Euston Station in London is to be rebuilt to accommodate the new facilities.

Now way back in the 60's, British Railways committed corporate vandalism at Euston. The Euston Arch was demolished. Now the new plans include a rebuilding and copy of that very same arch! Don't forget that the British Railways Board at one stage also wanted to demolish St. Pancras Station, now the London terminus for HS1.

We have been somewhat more fortunate in Birmingham. The selected site for the Birmingham facility is the old disused Curzon Street Station. Fortunate in that part of the station remaining is now a heritage listed building, and will be part of the new station plans. We are also fortunate that Curzon Street was a terminus, and that added to its demise, when New Street Station is a through facility to both north and south.

This is the Curzon Street station entrance that is to be incorporated in the the design for HS2 Birmingham.

The above photograph is the old Euston Arch, a fine Doric style demolished under the instructions of the incompetent British Railways Board of Directors. I only hope there is sufficient photographic and design evidence to reconstruct this as

  accurate as possible, using the same stone.