HS2 Train/Rail link, Good? or Bad?

[struie]

1 hour ago, AHPP said:

The people of Birmingham have my greatest sympathies. Londoners might visit.

whats even worse is they gettin closer to the border, 

[devon TWiG]

I am concerned that the trains will be going too fast for trainspotters to see the name  / number on it !!

 

[Matthew Storrs]

5 hours ago, Woodworks said:

Same old same old really. Massive project ludicrously over budget as per usual. 

 

Living down in the SW it makes diddly squat difference to us other than the taxes to fund it. Meanwhile, our only train line is often out of action at Dawlish but there is never any money to sort this problem once and for all.

 

Speaking to a fairly high powered business chap recently who thought the money would have been far better spent on high-speed internet for every home and business in the country bringing all of us closer together. Not sure I agree but it was an interesting take on it.

I’d agree with your chap really- most of the users of HS2 are going to be pen pushers/office workers. With today’s technology I find it hard to believe that a lot of commuters really needn’t be commuting at all, conference calls, meetings etc can be done on line and surely more should be done to encourage less travelling rather more people commuting ridiculous distances for a days work when it could so often be done from home?

[eggsarascal]

The cynic in me thinks we are building an asset that we can borrow money against.

[Mick Dempsey]

Not really for or against, but following recent improvements you can get from Paris to Bordeaux in 2 hrs 23 minutes. 6 hours by car.

Bordeaux is booming, business, house prices, tourism.

 

 This infrastructure stuff is a big deal. Opens up opportunities and business.

 

 

[Matthew Storrs]

1 minute ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Not really for or against, but following recent improvements you can get from Paris to Bordeaux in 2 hrs 23 minutes. 6 hours by car.

Bordeaux is booming, business, house prices, tourism.

 

 This infrastructure stuff is a big deal. Opens up opportunities and business.

 

 

Yes, if there wasn’t an existing train link between London and the north then I’d agree maybe, but what is shaving max 20 mins of a journey really going to do for anyone/anywhere?

[Mick Dempsey]

If you have ever taken the TGV you may sort of get it.

 

It puts our rail system in the Victorian age.

 

like I say, not got a dog in the fight, but just a perspective from an (occasional) user of another country’s railway.

[Mark J]

I'd much prefer a hyperloop instead  They could even include the North East in their plans if they did that.
The needless destruction of wildlife habitats should be avoided.
I've heard from people who that HS2 probably isn't going to happen.
I hope that's the case, or I'll be climbing up a another tree or two and argueing with the High Vis brigade again.

[eggsarascal]

1 minute ago, Mark J said:

I'd much prefer a hyperloop instead  They could even include the North East in their plans if they did that.
The needless destruction of wildlife habitats should be avoided.
I've heard from people who that HS2 probably isn't going to happen.
I hope that's the case, or I'll be climbing up a another tree or two and argueing with the High Vis brigade again.

You're not suggesting this could be another garden bridge are you?

 

I know, let's build a bridge over a river that's got two bridges within about a hundred yards of the new one!

[Mark J]

Surely not.