Re: HS2 or FTTP?
>One of the "not well studied" parts is that no consideratioon has been given to how it will affect airline traffic.
There is no significant local within UK air travel - other than routes to Dubllin... - suggest you investigate if you don't believe me.
>As for the "ancient woodland" being chopped down - it's almost entirely 16th century plantation forest
Demonstrating your ignorance I see:
"In the United Kingdom, an ancient woodland is a woodland that has existed continuously since 1600 or before in England."
HS2 was, is and continues to be a vanity project, only those stuck in 1960 see it as being the future...
The "capacity problem" can be solved a lot more cheaply and effectively, as lockdown has demonstrated. Universal FTTP gives greater economic benefit to more people significantly quicker than HS2 ever will; HS2 is of zero benefit to any one over the age of 50 and of limited value to any one over the age of 20...