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HS2 progress 2020 and beyond

The problem for those designing these schemes is that the politicians move the goalposts to suit their own needs, objectors arrive in their thousands and what was planned never gets done without modifications to suit every objector.
I saw a story about a motorway by-pass having to be rerouted costing many thousands ( maybe millions) of pounds to avoid six great crested newts.
 
Pedrocut said:
But France/Spain/Japan/China built high speed rail…..
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It’s not what they built it’s how they built it! China for example basically copied the Japanese high speed rail, and who knows what their costs really are/were. The shin kan sen (spell) I first rode in 1976 I believe from Tokyo to Nagoya. They started slowly and developed techniques over time. I believe France did as well, not sure about Spain, I would expect them to use much of France’s technology which is a good thing!
 
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My view is that the NIMBYs who say it is a 'white elephant' and 'not needed' are not bothered by the fact that the current rail system does not cope well with the increasing demand for commuter travel, the increase of which is to be expected with the desire to reduce car use and therefore pollution.

The 'High Speed' lines are as important to the future of this country as the original coming of railways was in the early 19th century. Their improvement to long-distance speedy travel will, to a lesser extent, reduce the demand for air travel and, more importantly, free up capacity on existing lines for local and inter-urban transport. This or more roads? The NIMBY's choice.
 
What you say, Lloyd, is true in theory, but that is not what has happened. As originally planned would have at least partially helped with these problems. But in its form now it is just one line , grossly overpriced due to the corruption that seems endemic in much of the construction industry (as with Covid), and with little chance of much of its potential being used in the near future .
 
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With the journey time to London being only 50 minutes I'd guess that Bham Council (and to a lesser extent Solihull as well) are hoping that HS2 will attract the London commuters to the city to live in all these new city centre towers that are springing up.

If that is any benefit for the existing inhabitants who knows.
 
mikejee said:
What you say, Lloyd, is true in theory, but that is not what has happened. As originally planned would have at least partially helped with these problems. But in its form now it is just one line , grossly overpriced due to the corruption that seems endemic in much of the construction industry (as with Covid), and with little chance of much of its potential being used in the near future .
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The potential for extensions to Manchester, Leeds and other northern cities is still there, even though abandoned in the present plans. It just means it will be even more expensive when it is built. HS2 trains will be able to go on ordinary lines in the UK where the new high-speed lines connect to the existing network. After the cancellation of the eastern leg of the project, the plan for the remaining Phase 1 (London to the West Midlands) is for trains to connect with the existing West Coast Main Line to serve destinations in the North West and Scotland. They just won't be as fast or free up space for local commuter and interurban traffic.
 
Lloyd said:
The potential for extensions to Manchester, Leeds and other northern cities is still there, even though abandoned in the present plans. It just means it will be even more expensive when it is built. HS2 trains will be able to go on ordinary lines in the UK where the new high-speed lines connect to the existing network. After the cancellation of the eastern leg of the project, the plan for the remaining Phase 1 (London to the West Midlands) is for trains to connect with the existing West Coast Main Line to serve destinations in the North West and Scotland. They just won't be as fast or free up space for local commuter and interurban traffic.
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I think Mikes point is well taken. Based upon the original plan and budget, HS2 is a long way off in time, £££ and functionality. Mainly because of the reasons he has highlighted. It is unfortunate but that is what you have.
 
I watched a repeat of Top Gear last night, Clarkson trying to beat the other pair in a race between a Shelby Ford Cobra and the TGV train from Wembley Stadium to the San Siro stadium in Milan, they finished within a few minutes of each other despite long delays due to road works because the TGV left the high speed line and had to go through the normal suburban lines.
 
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