Monday, August 23, 2010

High speed rail destroys residential property values

Rail junkies frequently promise increased property values along the boondoggle's route. The whole myth of "transit oriented development" is predicated on that assumption. Reality is altogether different.


Between London and Birmingham, England, people living in the path of a proposed high-speed rail link say their homes are already impossible to sell. Carol Clark, whose end-of-terrace cottage in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, is just 100 yards from the proposed line, told Sky News that even if her home is saved from demolition, its value has been wiped out. "I am in limbo, I can't move forward with my life," said the 60-year-old, who moved into her house in 1998. "I am now in a situation where the house is completely unsellable. I thought I would end my days here."

But the complaints are not just in the Chilterns - there are campaigners in towns and villages all along the route to the Midlands. Antony Chapman, who is among the campaigners rallying locals in Wendover, told Sky News: "The benefits of high-speed rail have been exaggerated and the costs have been underestimated."
That's putting it mildly.

Last year eastern Cincinnati residents successfully fought to keep the 3C Snail Rail Boondoggle from travelling through their neighborhood. They understood all too well that rail proximity is not an asset, but simply a community nuisance to be avoided. Cincinnati's 3C station is now planned to be at a suburban industrial park instead.

11 comments:

  1. Mallory's White MonkeyAugust 24, 2010 at 7:19 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. COAST, I did not write that post above, could you please remove it? Thank you.

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  3. Yeah there's only one Brad Thomas in this world. Dig it!

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  4. Geez Brad - you are such a thin-skinned sissy. You don't see Mark Miller whining when people use false names to bash him, or Jason Gloyd for that matter. Crybaby.

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  5. I also missed where the one and only Brad Thomas criticized the phony use of the names of Finney, Smitherman, Capell, and Triantafilou. Liberals like him complain when someone lifts a family photo of Steve Driehaus from his own website (which shouldn't have been done), but they have nothing to say when conservatives, Republicans, or minorities are treated in an equally offensive manner.

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  6. Mallory's White MonkeyAugust 27, 2010 at 5:39 AM

    This will not negatively impact property values. Mayor Mallory told me himself.

    B-Man Tomas

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  7. I will respect requests for taking down posts from those that pretending to be someone else even though it's generally apparent it isn't those folks. The "living room" rule is tough to follow I know, but we certainly try.

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  8. That's why you leave the "white monkey" posts up, eh Jason? Living room rule right?

    Quit posting on the internet and pay your mortgage, deadbeat!

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  9. Not surprising that the "white monkey" term flew over Trillan's head. Lack of intelligence is common among posters who offer little but personal insults.

    Do a google search on ["Idi Amin" and "white monkey"] and you'll learn that the term "white monkey" isn't some random insult that refers to an animal. It's taken on a specific meaning that describes one type of hapless supporter of a destructive political ruler.

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  10. Sorry we're not doing enough to keep you happy Trill AN, we'll just have to try harder.

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  11. This post neglects to mention every time a new highway expansion goes in, how it affects personal property. My grandmother had to sell her house because the plan ran it right through her living room. Also, ever notice all those barriers they throw up to diminish road noise and protect property values? Waiting to hear about that from COAST.....

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We follow the "living room" rule. Exhibit the same courtesy you would show guests in your home.