‘The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic’ JFK 1962
Myth 1:
HS2 is ‘green’ – it’s part of the low carbon economy.
Untrue
Myth 2:
HS2 will bridge the ‘North-South divide’ and deliver wider economic regional benefits.
Untrue
Myth 3:
HS2 is a sound investment – over £2 benefit for £1 cost (BCR = 2.6 for the Y network).
Untrue
Myth 4:
Only HS2, i.e. a new railway, can solve the rail capacity problem.
Untrue
Myth 5:
HS2 will greatly reduce domestic air travel.
Untrue
Myth 6:
The UK railway needs to catch up with Europe.
Untrue
‘When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?’ John Maynard Keynes
