Progress was ever thus! Although it's not easy, I try to keep in mind how all the poor people in our city centre felt when Chamberlain flattened their homes to built Corporation Street. At least those affected by HS2 have a chance of alternative accommodation through the sale of their properties - the dispossessed of the 19th Century were just moved out.
A few years ago blocks of flats were planned for the rear of the properties in this road (blooming ugly things with solar panels on the top). Obviously they went ahead altering our view and blocking our sunsets. We objected and spoke to many of the neighbours. One elderly lady who lived on the main road in a Victorian house said she wouldn't sign the petition. Our house is built on the site of an old farm and she said 'I cried when they built your houses on the orchards'.
I still don't like HS2 though.