Looking at the village Whitmore
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Countryside in Norther England
Small cities are close to there
Hour by car, from North Birmingham
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Some of the houses
Conditions of the hoses nobody living there
CCTV monitoring
Covering England for a while, describe what’s in there
Homes nothing in there
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Reason Highspeed ralroad
3 decades, 30 years ago the plan was initiated
Whenever building infrastructure, becomes a problem
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Parts of it was cancelled
Someone had to sell their property, even though they didn’t want it
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Deborah Mallender
Used to have young families, but nobody live here
Project name: Highspeed2(HS2)
Train tracks had to go through Whitmore
Train travel up to 225 miles a hour
Someway good, jobs, and works created
Lots of railroad already build
No highspeed railroad, existing railroad was crowded, but that would have relieved the network
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Many people heard of HS2, they wanted to sell the houses
Major construction would be unpleasant to live
Locals persuaded to sell their homes
Used eminent domain, force them to live
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Whitmore, 50 homes, two or more years
HS2 project got scaled down little by little
Example: Boras Johnson
Another weed that had to go to Leeds, but cancelled it out
2023, RIshi Sunak,killed the northern line
Rishi Sunak cancelled Manchester
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Elections coming up, Mr.Sunak conservative not looking happy
Economic and Brexit unhappy
Sunak said he will cut the project
Conservatives are reluctant to spend on public reconstruction
Like more private companies
Like to cut taxes for wealthy
Reporter stated it was risky
All the money around London, North of England, city up there are not nearly as wealthy
Promised to them bringing up to the level of the south of England
Mrs. Mallender opposed of HS2 everything affecting quality of life
Project killed, vacant houses
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Surveyors, to inspect the state of the city
How to get it back to order?
House with fence around there
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London to Birmingham, promised for 2026
It’s been delayed
Take longer than we thought
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Many people were against high speed railroad
Somepeople disliked people going aginst economy
As a result, cost to come up
Destroy waterway, adjust plans, go around it
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Some of the propertis are rented
Some occupy the house without permission
Used as cannabis factories
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Lots of tax revenue spent, but not happy
Mr.Colclough
Manager of Construction company
Didn’t sell the propery
Thought it would not happen
If the construction happened, he would have sold the property
Everyone knows, who want to live there
People would have been devastated with contruction traffic, dust, noise, lights, and 24-hour working
Peaceful city noisy and crowded
Part of HS2 that got cancelled
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Some people said, Sunak cancelled last year, maybe can be revived
Because, pretty soon election coming out
Sunak, driven out, maybe labor party will build in
Traffic and transaction in the are, Birmingham and Manchester want this
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New trains will run from Birminghum to Manchester
But they are using the original train tracks
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Old train can carry more people
New trains need a longer platform for the passengers
Journey to Birmingham to Manchester will be slower
Can’t turn curves quickly
Meg Hillier
Politician, member of the parliament
What’s gonna happen now?
Some of them compulsary purchased
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79 percent rented one
Bottom line, most of them purchased was able to be rent to other peole
Refurbished, held for construction, some are not viable
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Mr.Cavenagh-Mainwering
1000 years of whitmore
Forced to sell land, has a large property
Family been there hundreds of years, farming there for a long time
2013, friend warned
He was nervous, had a privat propety, forced quarter(25%) had to be sold
Few weeks later, project cancelled
Part of his land own HS organization
Some land is right through his fields
Try to repurchase and get it back
-Whitmorehall, part of his land
hollowed out
Process of removing the core or the most significant parts
Likely refers to the process of removing the core or the most significant parts of the village, possibly including its residents, homes, and businesses
tranquility
A state of peace and calm
When describing the large villas at Whitmore Heath, “tranquility” suggests that these homes offer a serene and quiet living environment, away from the noise and bustle typically found in urban areas
striking
Within easy reach or a short distance away, particularly in a context where no significant effort is required to travel from one place to another
Here, it indicates that while the villas provide the calm of the countryside, they are also conveniently located near urban centers like Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford
padlocked
Gates that have been secured with a padlock, a portable locking device that is typically used to prevent unauthorized access
By mentioning that gates are padlocked, the text implies that the properties are securely closed off to protect against intrusion, emphasizing a concern for security and privacy
trespassers
Individuals who enter property without permission
The term specifically refers to those who intrude on someone else’s land or premises without the right or consent of the owner
The warning signs for trespassers, coupled with the mention of CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) security monitoring, indicate that these properties have taken measures to discourage unauthorized entry and to monitor any such attempts
dumpster
A large metal container designed for storing and disposing of waste
A dumpster filled with waste standing outside a house suggests that there might be ongoing construction, renovation, or a major cleaning operation, leading to the accumulation of waste materials that need to be disposed of
carpeted:
Typically, “carpeted” refers to a floor that has been covered with carpet
However, in this context, the term is used metaphorically to describe the roof of a house being completely covered by something else, in this case, moss
It implies that the moss is so thick or widespread across the roof’s surface that it resembles a carpet
veneer:
Usually refers to a thin layer of superior wood or material that is adhered to the surface of inferior wood, making it appear more attractive
“veneer of moss” metaphorically describes the layer of moss on the roof as if it were a thin, decorative layer, emphasizing the complete and uniform coverage that resembles the application of a veneer
moss:
A small, green, non-vascular plant that typically grows in dense green clumps or mats, often in damp or shady locations
The “veneer of moss” on the roof suggests that the house might be in a moist environment or that the roof has been neglected, allowing the moss to grow extensively
byproduct:
Something produced as a secondary or incidental result of another process
In this context, the scene of abandonment (including the empty and neglected properties) is described as a byproduct of a large-scale rail project
This implies that the abandonment and neglect weren’t the main goals of the rail project but rather unintended outcomes that occurred as a result of its planning and execution
case study:
A detailed examination of a particular instance or event, especially as a model of analysis
The rail project is described as a case study in the problems Britain faces when planning large-scale infrastructure, suggesting it serves as an example or illustration of broader issues within such processes, including planning, execution, and impact
infrastructure:
Basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, such as transportation systems, communication networks, and utilities
The term “large-scale infrastructure” in this context refers to major projects like the rail project, which are significant in scope and intended to serve as foundational components of a region’s or country’s overall functionality
scarring:
Lasting damage or negative impact
The “scarring that remains” alludes to the long-term, visible effects of the rail project that have negatively impacted the community or environment, such as the abandonment and neglect of properties
It implies that these effects are both significant and enduring
awry:
Going awry means deviating from the intended or expected course, leading to unfavorable or negative outcomes
When the text mentions projects going awry, it refers to the rail project not proceeding as planned or expected, resulting in unintended consequences like the described scene of abandonment
This term highlights the discrepancy between the project’s goals and its actual outcomes
modest
Homes that are likely smaller, less expensive, or simpler in terms of their architecture and amenities
The use of “modest” to describe homes in the nearby area of Madeley suggests that these properties are more affordable or unassuming compared to potentially larger or more luxurious homes elsewhere
thriving
Describe a condition of flourishing, prospering, or doing very well
When the speaker says the area “was thriving with young families,” it implies that the community was once vibrant, full of life, and possibly growing, with many young families living there, contributing to a dynamic and lively environment
ministers:
Government officials or heads of particular departments within the government
The reference to “six prime ministers” indicates that the rail project has spanned a long time, affecting or involving the administrations of six different prime ministers
spurring:
To stimulate, encourage, or promote
It’s used to describe the expected positive effect of the High Speed 2 (HS2) train line on economic development
The idea is that by providing faster connections between major cities, the train line would act as a catalyst for economic growth, potentially leading to more jobs, better connectivity, and enhanced overall economic activity in the regions it serves
overburden:
Refers to something that is carrying a load or burden greater than its capacity, causing strain or stress
In the context of the mainline rail network, it suggests that the existing rail infrastructure is struggling to accommodate the current demand for rail services
This could be due to a variety of factors, such as too many trains running on limited tracks, outdated systems that can’t handle the volume of passengers, or physical wear on the infrastructure
The promise of HS2 to liberate space for more local services implies that by diverting some of the long-distance travel to the new high-speed line, it would relieve pressure on the existing network, thereby improving service quality or capacity for local and regional trains
government-financed:
Something that is funded or paid for by the government
In this case, it specifies that the company responsible for developing the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project is financed by government funds, meaning the financial resources required for the project’s development come from the government’s budget
locals:
The people living in the area affected by the HS2 project
These are the residents or community members who are directly impacted by the construction and development activities associated with the rail line
impending:
About to happen or forthcoming
The use of “impending” in relation to the construction suggests that the start of the HS2 project’s development was imminent, creating a sense of urgency or concern among the locals
bought out:
To receive a payment in exchange for leaving or relinquishing one’s property
In this context, some residents campaigned to be bought out, meaning they sought financial compensation from the government or the responsible company in exchange for their property and agreeing to move away, due to concerns or objections over the construction of the HS2
eminent domain:
A legal power that allows governments or their agents to acquire private property for public use, with compensation provided to the property owner
The term indicates that the company developing HS2 also utilized this authority to compulsorily acquire land needed for the project, regardless of whether the property owners were willing to sell voluntarily
ambitions:
Goals, aims, or objectives
Goals, aims, or objectives that were initially set for the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project
It suggests the scope, scale, or intended outcomes that the project hoped to achieve, such as improving connectivity between cities, enhancing economic growth, or increasing the capacity of the rail network
markedly:
Significantly or noticeably
When it’s said that HS2’s ambitions “shrank markedly,” it indicates that the goals or objectives of the HS2 project were significantly reduced or scaled back from their original plans
This reduction could be in terms of the project’s size, the extent of the rail network, the number of cities connected, the timeline for completion, or other key aspects that define the project’s ambition
lopped off
A metaphorical expression meaning to cut off or remove a part from the whole
It’s often used to describe the action of cutting branches off a tree but can also apply to various forms of reduction or elimination in other contexts
When it says that Boris Johnson, during his time as the project’s fourth prime minister, “lopped off one northern branch, to Leeds, in 2022,” it means he decided to cancel or eliminate a portion of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project that was planned to extend to Leeds
This action represents a significant scaling back or reduction of the project’s original scope, particularly in terms of its geographical reach or the connectivity it aimed to provide
looming:
Something that is about to happen soon and often implies a sense of foreboding or anticipation
Here, it suggests that an election is approaching in the near future, creating a backdrop of urgency or concern
Trailing in opinion polls:
Mr. Sunak’s party is behind in public opinion surveys, indicating that they are less popular or have less support among the electorate compared to their political rivals
Opinion polls are used to gauge the public’s support for different political parties or candidates
depicted:
To represent or show something in a certain way
Mr. Sunak has portrayed or presented the cut as proof of his ability to make difficult choices, suggesting a narrative that emphasizes his leadership qualities or fiscal responsibility
stance:
A person’s attitude or position on a specific issue
In this case, Mr. Sunak’s stance is described as risky because it involves making a significant change or cut, which could have various implications or consequences
predecessors:
The people who held a position or role before someone else
Mr. Sunak’s predecessors would be the prime ministers or leaders who came before him
The context implies that these earlier leaders had different views or policies regarding the project in question
Level up:
The goal of reducing regional inequalities by boosting economic growth and investment in areas that have been historically underdeveloped or disadvantaged, such as the north of England
The previous prime ministers had framed the rail line as a measure to achieve this goal, suggesting it was part of broader efforts to promote fairness and prosperity across different regions of the country
incredulous
Finds it difficult to believe or is skeptical
Ms. Mallender, along with many locals, finds it difficult to believe or is skeptical about the uncertainty or lack of clarity regarding the future developments following the rail project
habitable order
A condition in which houses are suitable or safe for people to live in
It implies that the properties in question currently do not meet the standards or conditions necessary for occupancy, possibly due to neglect, damage, or being left empty for an extended period
going ahead
The construction or development of the high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham is proceeding or continuing as planned, albeit with revised timelines
Despite delays or potential changes in the project’s scope, this phrase indicates that work on the rail line has not been halted or cancelled and is actively moving forward towards completion