There already exists a rail route between 'that London' and the Norff. This monstrosity will save all of 20 minutes from the current Birmingham/London time and the new HS2 station isn't even in the middle of Brum - it's at Curzon street, a guess what, 20 minute walk from New street (from where all the other trains depart)
Surely the need is for more runway capacity at or near Heathrow and upgrading the A14.
HS2 will end up like the M6 toll which has just had it's most underused year since it was built.
Whatever scheme is devised by the powers that be there will be shouts of "waste of money - do this instead"
I was in the car and heard You & Yours discussing it on Radio 4 . They discussed the cost of tickets and it seems Spain has a very good 2 tier pice model . As for the locations I am not qualified to comment but they do seem to be the lesser of the evils in terms of destroying homes and businesses. They also seem a reasonable compromise on destination such as mid way between Derby and Nottingham , which covers 2 cities . Yes you'll need to take some other form of transport to complete the journey but I guess that there will be very effiicent shuttles and such like at each end - after all the operator will have a captive audience.
I think M6 Toll is great because it is empty - I am happy to pay for the privilege at peak times . It's called a market......we pays our money and takes our choice
and they take their choice. Who do you think will end up paying for HS2?
The M6 toll was privately financed - I suggest if you asked their investors if it was a good deal they might have a contrary view, especially as the M6 proper is in the process of being widened.
There is a need for infrastructure spending in the UK - this is not it.
In Glasgow there is a wee underground that goes round in a circle but avoids the outer suburbs
and I believe Newcastle has a better one.
In Manchester we are extending Metrolink , which is overground "tram" and is pretty good.
It seems to me that if Metrolink can pay its way then why don't other cities throw money into
trams and underground , especuially if planners make it harder to get into and park in city centres peopel will be forced onto public transport but only if it is speedy and reliable , unlike buses which have
too many stops for anybody going on a longer journey
The trouble is that you have to manufacture something people want at the price you need to charge to remain profitable.
Perhaps we could manufacture railways and trains....
They are called Jaguars and Range Rovers - ohh - and aero engines and F1 cars and satellites, and lots of other stuff.
There was a telly programme on last night comparing runway capacity here and abroad. Schipoll Holland has 6 runways, Istanbul is building 6. Heathrow has, errr....2.
You can see the Range Rover factory in Solihull from Birmingham airport, yet the head of TATA (the owners of JLR) cannot fly from India to Brum (and if Heathrow remains at 100% capacity won't be able to fly there soon either!)
HS2 looks daft when put against those issues.
Time to think out of the box here. Heathrow has become the sacred cow of our infrastructure .
Of course many jobs depend on it but let's look at the greater good for the country.
This is a recurring theme of NIMBYism and sacred cows - it is often totally and utterly selfish .
Of course nobody likes upheaval but that's life
Excellent idea - it would certain people (ahem) to open up the throttle and pay for the privilege
Sign me up !
Take a plane ? Are you mad or what ....
The thought of being herded like sheep and treated like a villain is enough to send tremors down my spine
It is faster and much more pleasant to drive than fly for a journey of 200 miles or less .
Just wait until some clown starts blowing up trains in the name of their beloved clause...
I am salivating at the thought of being able to open my throttle all the way , legally on a British Road
I was a passenger in Germany 2 yeas ago and the speedo was at 130+ mph and all the old ladies in their Micras (sorry Mum) keep well to their lane at the side . All drivers are well disciplined and move out of your way - what do you expect from Deutschlanders
I've been blogging on my website www.formationsdirect.com for some time with my non-PC view of the world of economics,business and other stuff. If you like to read the views of somebody who doesn't "toe the party line" you've come to the right place. Government cock-ups, financial turmoil , business scandals and people's behaviour - I've got something to say about it , whether you like it or not.
www.siftmedia.co.uk - Interactive community publishing
Registered in England & Wales No. 05923499
Terms & conditions |
Privacy and cookies
Do you really think it will be built ?
My guess is that the proposals will be changed beyond recognition by the next government, and the whole thing cancelled by the government after that.
Besides, the cost of using it will be so high that it won't make a jot of difference to anyone.