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HS2

I'm now starting to agree with HS2 as an alternative to airport expansion but I see three problems:
1. The HS1 link is needed to make the train more convenient than the plane.
2. The price would need to be competitive with Ryanair and easyJet to encourage tourists to use the train.
3. HS2 would need to be more reliable than most railways in the UK (notably Northern, Southern and Thameslink) as trains are getting a lot of bad press.
 
Some very valid points on here - a real mixed bag of opinions

I does interest me that many see it as alternative to flying - but will it be that cheap? Some flights to Europe I can get for £35 return if I book at the right time

But a train journey fromBirmingham to Manchester can often cost me £95 - will that come down with a better network.
 
Jb85 said:
Some very valid points on here - a real mixed bag of opinions

I does interest me that many see it as alternative to flying - but will it be that cheap? Some flights to Europe I can get for £35 return if I book at the right time

But a train journey fromBirmingham to Manchester can often cost me £95 - will that come down with a better network.
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I feel that pricing is not an HS2 issue... European governments subsidise their railways more than ours, our railways will continue to be expensive until we subsidise them more. So many of the comparisons made are unfair though, such as comparing an anytime ticket for the following day to an airfare for months in advance
 
speedy said:
I feel that pricing is not an HS2 issue... European governments subsidise their railways more than ours, our railways will continue to be expensive until we subsidise them more. So many of the comparisons made are unfair though, such as comparing an anytime ticket for the following day to an airfare for months in advance
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Very true. I can see no logical reason not to go ahead with this other than cost. And cost is only expensive because of all the red tape. Surely there must be some legislation that can get this moving quicker?

Realistically we need HS2 and 3, two major airport expansions (Heathrow is the wrong place personally - and maybe Birmingham or Manchester) and I would say an extension to the M6 into Scotland. We’re years behind our economic rivals in terms of infrastructure- delaying these projects will only effect us further.

Edit - one caveat and something I firmly believe in - major government infrastructure projects should only be assigned to British owned companies - keep the money in the country as much as possible.
 
Jb85 said:
Very true. I can see no logical reason not to go ahead with this other than cost. And cost is only expensive because of all the red tape. Surely there must be some legislation that can get this moving quicker?

Realistically we need HS2 and 3, two major airport expansions (Heathrow is the wrong place personally - and maybe Birmingham or Manchester) and I would say an extension to the M6 into Scotland. We’re years behind our economic rivals in terms of infrastructure- delaying these projects will only effect us further.

Edit - one caveat and something I firmly believe in - major government infrastructure projects should only be assigned to British owned companies - keep the money in the country as much as possible.
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I was going to say we could just ask the Chinese to do it... it will be even more expensive if it's entirely British companies that build it! Maybe it would be possible back when we had British Rail but now that it's been sold off?

I wish as part of HS2, they had drawn up plans for building high speed rail to Cardiff and Edinburgh/Glasgow as well. Sadly it's being seen as an English only project, despite the fact it will speed up services from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
 
All HS2 would for us in the North is make us commute to London for jobs where they’ll get the boost to their economy and more funding allocated.

The north is left to rot with ancient railways and poor planning by a government who couldn’t care if we disappeared. We’re an inconvenience to them.

It’s a horrific idea and should be scrapped imo. They’d invest in our infrastructure and railways, creating more jobs in the North they really cared.
 
Can't think where else to put this, but it may as well slide sideways in to this north/south divide talk.
I've heard that some of the TV studios in the Manchester area (not going to name exactly) are now refusing to employ anyone who lives within the M25. Needless to say, this has caused some upset in my industry.
The legallity of such a policy is questionable.
And the vast majority of people who do these jobs are based in the south east.
They are having trouble finding local staff.
 
DiogoJ42 said:
Can't think where else to put this, but it may as well slide sideways in to this north/south divide talk.
I've heard that some of the TV studios in the Manchester area (not going to name exactly) are now refusing to employ anyone who lives within the M25. Needless to say, this has caused some upset in my industry.
The legallity of such a policy is questionable.
And the vast majority of people who do these jobs are based in the south east.
They are having trouble finding local staff.
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Cuts down on preposterous expenses claims no doubt. If you're that dedicated to your job then just move, otherwise find another. It's been the same way for people in the past 30 years who've wanted work in the film/TV industry who didn't live in London already let's be honest.
 
I recently went home (I live in Aberdeenshire) from Efteling by train, staying the night in Brussels. My point is the railways are for pleasure as well as commuting. And workers may have clients or projects across the country they need to visit. Again if we're serious about tackling climate change, we must make long distance rail travel quicker, as not everyone is as crazy as me and willing to spend 9 hours on the train.
 
The trouble is, that there isn't enough work in either location. Now it's spread out, people from both cities have to commute long dustance.
In fact, I know someone who moved to France and commutes by air to London and Manchester. It somehow works out cheaper for him. That is wrong on so many levels!
 
Crazy commuting part 2.
A posh accountant who HAD to manage one account.
The business shifted over the pond
Lived in NYC.
Finished work Friday at noon.
Flew home.
Back in post Monday 2pm.
Don't know who paid for the flights, but it went on for years.
Made him an alcoholic over time...I mixed his drinks.
 
In an attempt to make this vaguely on topic....

Which theme parks will it make easier to get to?
The "future" Paramount / London theme park.... [calling at Imagination Central], the Merlin London attractions.... Legoland Discovery centres...

I guess Blackpool is likely to be quicker from London, with fast lines and electrification?
It will potentially make Disneyland Paris a little quicker from the North West, although the Crewe line is pretty quick anyway.
 
Danny said:
Nah. Use the money more wisely on improving current infrastructure first.
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...and then spend what you save on building some more infrastructure to cope with the ever increasing population, nothing big, just little things like hospitals, schools, doctors surgeries, local shops etc.
 
I know very few people up north who want a slightly quicker link to the capital.
99% of us only go there for Christmas shopping and a show.
A better northern infrastructure between big northern cities is what 99% of us want and need, for business, family, education and leisure.
But that is not on the cards, now or ever, because London knows best.
...and cuts up the cake at its own choosing.
 
The idea was that HS2 isn't about the journey time it's about capacity. At the moment Manchester to London and Birmingham to London express services are 6 trains per hour. After hs2 these 6 trains an hour can make way for local services connecting more places.
If you want to find a way to get more trains out of Euston than is currently possible or look at increasing capacity on the West Coast main line any more. That mainline is full. The best way forwards is HS2 and more high speed lines.
 
rob666 said:
I know very few people up north who want a slightly quicker link to the capital.
99% of us only go there for Christmas shopping and a show.
A better northern infrastructure between big northern cities is what 99% of us want and need, for business, family, education and leisure.
But that is not on the cards, now or ever, because London knows best.
...and cuts up the cake at its own choosing.
Click to expand...
That is happening, with northern powerhouse rail and the Midlands schemes. Perhaps though with faster rail links, you'll be inclined to take the train more often down south, or even to the continent?
 
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