I HOPE that you will allow me to use your columns to reply to some of my critics in respect of HS2, the proposed railway line between London, Birmingham and the North, which passes through North East Oxfordshire.

I have to start by remarking that the UK is the only place in Europe (or indeed elsewhere), where we would be having this debate. In other words, the case for high speed lines has been accepted, and the only debate is where, when and how.

I think that critics have to show how the growing demand for Rail (both passenger and freight) can be accommodated.

The London termini, and the Birmingham stations are either full or at bursting point. Have they not been to either Birmingham New Street or Marylebone in the rush hour?

The latter, in particular, is on a very cramped site, which would be very difficult and expensive to expand to allow Chiltern Railways to take up more of the slack.

Again, the whole point of high speed lines is to persuade more people to abandon air travel, which in terms of energy usage is far more prohibitive than any high speed line actual or proposed.

The other huge benefit is that removing the really fast trains from the present line leaves capacity for more local trains and freight.

The growth in the latter should not be underestimated, especially with continental freight to and from the UK at last set to realise something like its true potential.

If anyone doubts how this can work, then I would urge them to travel, for example, between Avignon and Marseille in France, but via what they call Le Ligne Classique. This line, now that it is bypassed by the high speed line, has a much better, more frequent and reliable local service, which goes through some of the most picturesque wine growing countryside in Europe.

Enjoy!

Bob Johnston Councillor, Radley Ward, Vale of White Horse District Council