The rail network, reliability, information and rolling stock now compared with the late 70's and eighties .... you don't know you're born!
There are already two lines between Birmingham and London, but still a shortage of capacity at peak times.
The shortest journey time between New Street and Euston is currently 80 minutes. It is claimed that HS2 will reduce the fastest journey time to 50 minutes, which to my mind would be significant.
I was initially very anti HS2, down to the high cost and the environmental impact, but have been persuaded that the benefits of increased capacity and reduced journey times will ultimately prove worthwhile.
I would totally agree with this.
I live in Yorkshire. We have fast trains to London. What we don't have is a decent train service to Manchester. In fact, the 'Pacer' trains that go through my local station were designed to be in service no later than 2000. They will still be going well into 2020.
The lack of spending on infrastructure in the north is hugely frustrating.
There are already two lines between Birmingham and London, but still a shortage of capacity at peak times.
The shortest journey time between New Street and Euston is currently 80 minutes. It is claimed that HS2 will reduce the fastest journey time to 50 minutes, which to my mind would be significant.
I was initially very anti HS2, down to the high cost and the environmental impact, but have been persuaded that the benefits of increased capacity and reduced journey times will ultimately prove worthwhile.
At least H2S will benefit many more ordinary people than these projects.
T'was just a glib 'comedic' aside.Capital projects as complex as this, always go over budget, they always have done. Party politicising this is bizarre.
Capital projects as complex as this, always go over budget, they always have done. Party politicising this is bizarre.
What use is a 2nd line if they decrease the amount of trains on the West Coast mainline and you don't live anywhere near the new train station (because an airport and existing train station isn't enough) at Birmingham International which is the last stop before London on the new line? The final bill for these wonderful improvements is upwards of 80bn and counting.
Aha, I understand your objections now. It won't directly benefit you. What's the opposite of a NIMBY ? perhaps a PIMBY (please in my back yard)
So you reckon H2S will be a white elephant bit like some numpties said about the Amex!![]()
Not just me but anyone that lives between London and Birmingham as the line is useless to anyone in that catchment area. It will also reduce capacity on the existing mainline making things worse. Personally, I'd rather we blew £80bn on Projects that have a wider benefit. Strings has highlighted the rolling stock in the north which should have been obsolete years ago. The Chiltern line is in need of an upgrade. I don't know how people use the London to Brighton line and remain sane at rush hour. All of those things could be done at a fraction of the cost and time. HS2 is a vanity Project.
If the budget overrun is the same as Crossrail (about 15%) then no, it'll come in at £34.5 billion. Even if it doubles it'll be nowhere near your scaremonger figure.What worries me is if they do go ahead with HS2 and the bill is currently around £30 billion I think, when this runs over time and budget, will we be looking closer to £100 billion?
If the budget overrun is the same as Crossrail (about 15%) then no, it'll come in at £34.5 billion. Even if it doubles it'll be nowhere near your scaremonger figure.
It was a question*, simple one at that, no scaremongering.
* see (?) at the end for verification.
Ok, well simple answer then.
No.