bickster Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Share Posted October 2, 2023 9 minutes ago, bannedfromHandV said: HS2 scrapped for ‘the north’. What has HS2 actually achieved then? Or what will it achieve once ‘finished’? Just an improved line from Birmingham to London? At a cost of how much? Again, so many questions need to be asked, complete and utter waste of money that could have been spent on any number of other services which would have yielded far more tangible benefits but probably allowed for much less skimming off the top. The tangible benefits of HS2 were never really sold to the public in the right way, they were massive. It wasn't a waste of money but it is now they've scrapped it. It's pointless now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 They should tarmac it and make HS2 a high speed motorway. I bet Rishi is working on it already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NurembergVillan Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Share Posted October 2, 2023 19 hours ago, ml1dch said: Foreign Secretary pulling in the crowd for his speech. There's just something about venues with blue seats being deserted isn't there? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The concept of a high speed rail network was never the issue. It was always the execution that was going to fail. At obscene expense, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wainy316 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 By the time the next GE rolls around the Tories will have lost their majority through by-election defeats anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lichfield Dean Posted October 2, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 hour ago, bickster said: The tangible benefits of HS2 were never really sold to the public in the right way, they were massive. It wasn't a waste of money but it is now they've scrapped it. It's pointless now I'm wondering if it will be of some benefit anyway. If the extra capacity is used for Birmingham to London commutes, doesn't that still free up the west coast main line for the London-Manchester services? Granted it's not what it was sold as, and most likely doesn't deliver exactly what people were expecting, but I expect it'll still help to some degree (albeit not 111ty bajillion dollars worth) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 3 hours ago, Davkaus said: Where's Truss making her speech, Sesame Street? Nobody gives a **** you ridiculous failure. I got a job to collect some firearms from the VIP security bit at Gatwick the week before last, my colleague and I were speculating who it would be that would have a security team that needed 5 pistols, of course it turned out to be her, going off to Geneva (probably up to no good). I'm sure she gets security paid by the taxpayer due to her being PM for a few weeks but at least she must have to pay for their flights if they're going on Easyjet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Labour pushing hard for the Pincher seat. About 3 different leaflets through the door and 2 different people wanting to chat on the doorstep. They certainly sniff a victory. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wainy316 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 How long until the rest of it gets scrapped? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Share Posted October 2, 2023 23 minutes ago, Lichfield Dean said: I'm wondering if it will be of some benefit anyway. If the extra capacity is used for Birmingham to London commutes, doesn't that still free up the west coast main line for the London-Manchester services? Nope, the whole point is to remove fast services from the WCML altogether, which in turn frees up capacity, enabling much more local traffic onto the rails. Fast services require huge intervals between trains, those huge intervals will still be required unless of course the Manchester trains divert to New Street and then you have to get yourself over to Curzon St to catch another train... And that's one huge degradation of service 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chindie Posted October 2, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted October 2, 2023 I think we can all celebrate Manchester not being allowed to get to Birmingham faster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The problem is that the public perception of HS2 is that it’s some luxury or nice to have bit of infrastructure. Not something for a country with record levels of debt and tax. How many times have we read about “it’s not worth it just to get to London half an hour sooner”. This is why it’s constantly under investigation. If it was a hospital going over budget then it wouldn’t have the same kind of interest because we accept that we need the hospital. The feeling amongst the general public (rightly or wrongly) is we don’t really need HS2 so let’s cut our losses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wainy316 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Could Labour just not put a commitment to resume phase 2 in their manifesto and scoop up red wall votes? What do the Tories gain tactically from cancelling it when they won't even be overseeing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan95 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Hopefully an outlier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ml1dch Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Good good, bit more blue on blue action. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan95 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 From yesterday 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mozzavfc Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 20 minutes ago, ml1dch said: Good good, bit more blue on blue action. This is the real benefit of the mayoral system. Longer terms and not having to toe the party line like MPs, allows them to actually get something done in their area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 27 minutes ago, ml1dch said: Good good, bit more blue on blue action. I like how he pretends he’s got a magic wand where everything comes under control by just chatting to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lichfield Dean Posted October 2, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 hour ago, bickster said: Nope, the whole point is to remove fast services from the WCML altogether, which in turn frees up capacity, enabling much more local traffic onto the rails. Fast services require huge intervals between trains, those huge intervals will still be required unless of course the Manchester trains divert to New Street and then you have to get yourself over to Curzon St to catch another train... And that's one huge degradation of service Ok, makes sense thanks. And of course there's the other elephant in the room that if it doesn't go into central London then nobody will use it from Brum anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 They still haven’t announced it, what an embarrassment. Will the Speaker get his knickers in a twist again for hearing stuff in the media before it’s debates in the HoC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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