YES to High Speed Rail

Last week, the Department for Transport released a report containing the results of a survey of people’s opinions on high-speed rail. They interviewed over 2000 people from a range of ages, and from across the UK’s regions and social stratas.

The results are revealing: the majority of the respondents were in favour of a high-speed rail system. They are also a timely reminder: this widespread popular support must not be forgotten or subsumed beneath noisy opposition from along the proposed route of HS2.

For example, out of the 2000+ people surveyed, 47% were in favour or strongly in favour of high-speed rail compared to 9% against or strongly against. The remaining 44% was split between those neither in favour nor against HSR and those who were undecided or needed to know more about the project.

It is also significant that those people surveyed who knew more about the scheme, were more likely to support it. For example, 54% of people previously aware of the scheme at all were in favour of it compared to 10% against. Of those who felt they knew either a fair amount or a great deal about the scheme, 58% were in favour with 18% against. 

These results reinforce the need for people to stand up and make their support heard, in order to counter the vociferous opposition groups along the route of HS2. Without visible support, there is every possibility that the high-speed rail project with be delayed or, at worst, be put on hold altogether.

Show your support for high-speed rail. Sign up to our campaign here.

These results, and more, are available in the report- High Speed Rail Scheme: survey of all adults aged 16+ in Great Britain (pdf).