tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post861629508392998839..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: Lack of planningJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-31648363181910921382013-01-11T18:54:08.703+00:002013-01-11T18:54:08.703+00:00Pete,
Certainly, all transport projects have an i...Pete,<br /><br />Certainly, all transport projects have an impact on the environment. The best way to avoid that would be to travel less; but with a rising population and increasing affluence (over the long term, even if it doesn't feel that way currently), demand for travel is going up not down. If we are to increase provision to meet demand, rail is just about the least damaging, and air probably the most damaging. The evidence seems to suggest that high-speed rail in Europe has displaced air for 'short' distances - i.e. those where the reduced hassle, delays and advance waiting required in the case of trains make them more or less competitive in time terms. That's a net gain in the big picture.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-79194446005073220262013-01-10T16:11:36.201+00:002013-01-10T16:11:36.201+00:00John; The point not touched upon, and I would appr...John; The point not touched upon, and I would appreciate your thoughts, is the impact this and similar projects have on the environment. I understand that the first phase of HS2 will devastate some of the Island's oldest woodland. South Cubbington wood has been mentioned as being a woodland that extends back to the last ice age. South of the wood is the island's largest wild pear tree said to date back some 250 years.<br />Can urbanization with a disregard for the environment be sustainable? How far should we go in destroying natural habitats? <br />Closer to home, how much fertile land should be surrendered to urban development?<br />Not easy questions I know but I fear that the Cefn Gwlad stands to suffer an irrecoverable loss.Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02199538597477712978noreply@blogger.com