HOW interesting to hear the objections from Conservative councils saying the HS2 rail project (Echo, Jan 28) will provide no economic benefit and decimate the countryside.

It does surprise me that people are not prepared to endure some inconvenience for the greater good.

The South-East is overheating with over development, hence HS2 must be a step in the right direction by allowing businesses to move up north via rail.

Although HS2 is a big step forward in redistributing economic wealth from the south to the north, and it will be excellent for Leeds and South Yorkshire, the north extends much farther than Leeds.

It may have been a step to far to extend HS2 to cover Berwick and Carlisle but one hopes it does not mean that the rest of the rail track north of Leeds hits the buffers.

Councillor George R Dunning, Leader, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.