I RECENTLY attended the HS2 presentation to those most affected by the new line in Trafford. This was in Hale Barns.

I arrived early to view the local maps and browse the literature.

I was shocked to find there was no such support from the HS2 team. Not even a simple leaflet.

In the UK, as a small country, the time saved by HS2 is not very much. In fact the speaker told us that they were now not claiming that the journey time would be any different from now.

This is mainly because the line here in our area has speed restrictions for the curves and tunnel. In fact if the line was already in place and two trains set off from Piccadilly, one on the conventional line and one on the HS2 line, then the one on the conventional line would be in London first!

This is because HS2 goes via Birmingham and the current timing advantages were measured against a train stopping at Stockport, Macclesfield etc.

HS2 is offering no high speed working in our area (north of Crewe) and only a small stretch north of Birmingham.

So basically on offer to Manchester are high speed trains at conventional speed.

The conventional rail services serves South Manchester and Cheshire very well because they connect with local services or have good parking at stations.

When I go to London I either go by train to Stockport or park at Stockport or Macclesfield.

Concerned residents questioned the speaker on services for us and he assured us that the current trains from Stockport (and even Wilmslow) will still be running.

So South Manchester will still have conventional (highish) speed trains (the same as we do today with improvements due to time and technology moving forward).

We were assured that HS2 fares would be pegged at equivalent conventional rates.

The speaker did admit, though, that the discounts offered on conventional lines will make them cheaper.

It would be a much better use of investment money in the railways to reinstate the short link to Derby through the Peak district.

This is a straight line to London so would be genuinely quicker.

Peter Noble, Deputy Provost of Altrincham Court Leet