In France and Germany high-speed rail lines sweep through the landscape with pride, on elegant bridges and soaring viaducts, in the same way as did the railways of the Victorian age built by Brunel and Stephenson, proclaiming the world of high-speed travel (Biggest boost to rail network since 1899, 11 January). Alas HS2 is to be buried in deep cuttings and tunnels or screened by tens of thousands of trees – just something to be hidden away, rather than a celebration of engineering achievement.
Alan Esplen
Maldon, Essex

• I would be all for HS2 if it was constructed in conjunction with the closure of the M40. The motorway is more polluting, noisier and more damaging to the Chilterns than the railway would be. Such a road-to-rail displacement policy would be a significant move towards dealing seriously with global warming and to the long-term benefit of everyone.
Allan Baker
Kettering, Northants

• So the HS2 will go ahead at a cost of £17bn. May I propose a free sweepstake with a prize of £1 to whomsoever comes nearest to the final cost. I'll take £43bn.
Tony Willis
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands

• Wildlife organisations estimate the route for HS2 could threaten up to 160 wildlife sites. This includes 50 irreplaceable ancient woodlands and the habitat of rare species such as Bechstein's bat and the black hairstreak butterfly. What a terrible indictment of Labour that it started this appalling project.
Chris Gale
Chippenham, Wiltshire

• Am I correct in my impression that most of the opposition to the HS2 project is from people who live in the south-east – who will benefit least – and not so much from the Midlands and north – who will benefit most?
Bill Sharrod
Coniston, Cumbria

• If Scotland becomes independent at least the idea of HS2 being extended to Glasgow could be scrapped.
Stefan Simanowitz and John Lipetz
London