Case Studies

• HS2 Advantages:

  • Increasing the UKs rail network which is behind Europe
  • HS2 can increase capacity and decrease disruption to travel
  • WCML (West coast Main Line) is the busiest rail route and it is cheaper to replace
• HS2 Advantages:

  • Reduces travel time
  • Road-building is costly, 30 million per mile for motorways
  • Rail is popular with environmentalists, less co2 emissions
  • popular with high income workers, air travellers
• HS2 Disadvantages:

  • Negatively impacts some people (residents near it)
  • HS2 doesn't benefit the local councils on route (no stops)
  • Some tax payers felt it was a waste
  • Original cost £32 billion, 2015 £56 billion and 2020 £106 billion -despite cutting out East Midlands Parkway, Leeds and York
• HS2 Disadvantages:

  • Environmentalists dont like its constructions which is destroying /effecting 4 SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and 50 nature sites -5 of international importance
  • The north has been completely cut out, which can create tension
• London's Third Runway (Heathrow) Need:

  • South-East England has low capacity
  • Predicted rapid growth in air travel, will grow by 44% between 2019-50. Heathrow had 40 million in 1991 and 80 million in 2019
  • Heathrow attracts business and adds to economy -tourists
  • Competition- stay No 1 airport and relevant in Europe
• London's Third Runway (Heathrow) -Don't need:

  • The aviation industry is heavily subsidised, no VAT on fuel, worth 7 billion in 2021.
  • No environmental levy/tax.
  • Money spent by Britons abroad is more than tourists & transferee passengers dont directly help the UK economy only Heathrow's shops
• London's Third Runway (Heathrow) Advantages:

  • The 3rd runway would contribute to London's/England's financial center
  • It employs 76000ish people, a new 3rd runway would employ 77000 more