Rev Anne Stevens and Jo Hurford padlocked to a tree in Euston Square Gardens

• I ECHO the sentiments of Bree Louise landlord Craig Douglas (It’s soul-destroying, say Bree Louise landlords as HS2 forces pub to close, January 18) and the Rev Anne Stevens (St Pancras priest chains herself to tree in protest against HS2, January 12) over their disappointment with the parliamentary select committee on HS2 hearings process.

Like them, when I made my presentation before the Commons select committee, I definitely got the impression the committee was just going through the motions.

Less than half of its members were present and those that were, with the exception of Keith Vaz, were distinctly disengaged, with the chairman alternating between brusqueness and silky condescension.

On the day I presented, the only petitioner they paid attention to was University College Hospital, because they had a QC to make their case.

Those of us who were barrister-less, representing only ourselves or small groups – including petitioners who had gone to the expense of having engineering drawings prepared – were just being humoured, and we all realised it.

ELLIN STEIN
Rona Road, NW3