* British Rail chairman Sir Peter Parker launches a high-speed train in 1977 ( Rex ) -- completed? The debate over High Speed 2, intended to increase capacity and accelerate journeys between London and the North, highlights once again the tension between local communities and national interest over big -- belief in the railways, our national network is doing rather well. But shhh, it’s not fashionable to say so ….” The debate over HS2 highlights the tension between local communities and national interest over big infrastructure projects (EPA) -- 1/4 British Rail chairman Sir Peter Parker launches a high-speed train in 1977 Rex -- 4/4 The debate over HS2 highlights the tension between local communities and national interest over big infrastructure projects EPA