There has been disappointment from supporters, and delight from detractors, over the news that construction of Britain’s high speed rail project, HS2, would be “paused” over much of its length, with the exception of the core route between London and Birmingham. However, according to sources inside the project, the enabling works already underway on the sections from Birmingham to Crewe and onwards to Manchester are not being paused at all. They say that instead of mothballing the environmental and preparatory works, sites along the route are being demolished, and installed infrastructure is being junked, at cost to the UK taxpayers. The HS2 project company has however been at pains to promote its environmental awareness during the construction of the railway.