HS2 to be cut back?

[Kyng]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66895425

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the government against building a "mutilated" version of HS2.

He said suggestions the high-speed rail link that began construction under his premiership could be scaled back were "Treasury-driven nonsense".

Last week, the government refused to guarantee HS2 would continue between Birmingham and Manchester.

It comes as more than 80 companies and business leaders seek clarity over the commitment to HS2.

In a letter to the government, they expressed "deep concern" over "the constant uncertainty" that "plagues" the project.

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Ugh... we've already had one cut-back (the section to Leeds was cancelled), and now Manchester might not be connected either? So, after all this fuss, and all these cost overruns, it might only be going to Birmingham.

Indeed, given how expensive the cut-back plans will still be (and that they'll be of limited use to anyone in the north), I have to ask whether it'd be worth it at all?

[~ True Legend ~]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66905316

The uncertainty arising for businesses is concerning.

Kyng it’s said that it’s no big deal as there’s been £22bn of investment since 2010, yet others argue that travel in London is much better than up North. Does ease and convenience of travel up North suffice in your experience? You’d know more.

[Kyng]

Does ease and convenience of travel up North suffice in your experience?

Not really .

Getting to London (and other major cities) by public transport is easy enough, even if it is expensive and often doesn't arrive on time. But, to anywhere that isn't London or Birmingham or Manchester or Liverpool, or a town directly on the way there? Trains often require two or three changes... if they even exist at all.

[insert obligatory Dr Beeching rant here]

[~ True Legend ~]

Does ease and convenience of travel up North suffice in your experience?

Not really .

Getting to London (and other major cities) by public transport is easy enough, even if it is expensive and often doesn't arrive on time. But, to anywhere that isn't London or Birmingham or Manchester or Liverpool, or a town directly on the way there? Trains often require two or three changes... if they even exist at all.

[insert obligatory Dr Beeching rant here]

There’s already been some investment in the line between London and Birmingham - the halfway point, so that’s unlikely to be cancelled, whereas the line between Manchester and Birmingham has had no investment as of yet.

Looks like the government have gotten their priorities wrong given you say that it’s already easy enough to get into London

[Kyng]

Does ease and convenience of travel up North suffice in your experience?

Not really .

Getting to London (and other major cities) by public transport is easy enough, even if it is expensive and often doesn't arrive on time. But, to anywhere that isn't London or Birmingham or Manchester or Liverpool, or a town directly on the way there? Trains often require two or three changes... if they even exist at all.

[insert obligatory Dr Beeching rant here]

There’s already been some investment in the line between London and Birmingham - the halfway point, so that’s unlikely to be cancelled, whereas the line between Manchester and Birmingham has had no investment as of yet.

Looks like the government have gotten their priorities wrong given you say that it’s already easy enough to get into London

Well, I can see why the London to Birmingham section is being prioritised. That's not just used by the London to Birmingham travellers - but also by all the London to Liverpool/Manchester/Glasgow travellers (who would be travelling via Birmingham).

Speeding up the London to Birmingham section might provide less benefit to each individual person - but it would benefit more people.

[~ True Legend ~]

Not really .

Getting to London (and other major cities) by public transport is easy enough, even if it is expensive and often doesn't arrive on time. But, to anywhere that isn't London or Birmingham or Manchester or Liverpool, or a town directly on the way there? Trains often require two or three changes... if they even exist at all.

[insert obligatory Dr Beeching rant here]

There’s already been some investment in the line between London and Birmingham - the halfway point, so that’s unlikely to be cancelled, whereas the line between Manchester and Birmingham has had no investment as of yet.

Looks like the government have gotten their priorities wrong given you say that it’s already easy enough to get into London

Well, I can see why the London to Birmingham section is being prioritised. That's not just used by the London to Birmingham travellers - but also by all the London to Liverpool/Manchester/Glasgow travellers (who would be travelling via Birmingham).

Speeding up the London to Birmingham section might provide less benefit to each individual person - but it would benefit more people.

It feels more like a political game as opposed to what would be most beneficial overall. But that’s just how it is!

[~ True Legend ~]

Unsurprising backlash.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66909732

It has just emerged, at least to me, that the other project between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly shares the same network as HS2. I hope for your sake and the sake of others living up North this does not get cancelled Kyng 🤞 !!!

[Kyng]

Yeah, so do I!

Granted, I do wonder whether the money spent on HS2 would have been better spent on a large number of smaller-scale projects dotted around the network. But I think that ship has sailed now.

[Kyng]

And now, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has threatened to sue the government if the Manchester leg gets scrapped or delayed:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po...18947.html

I don't know what chance this would have of succeeding - but, if people have invested money into the project (on the understanding that it would go to Manchester) - then, I can see them wanting their money back if it ends up not doing so!

[~ True Legend ~]

And now, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has threatened to sue the government if the Manchester leg gets scrapped or delayed:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po...18947.html

I don't know what chance this would have of succeeding - but, if people have invested money into the project (on the understanding that it would go to Manchester) - then, I can see them wanting their money back if it ends up not doing so!

Well, finally the suspense is over! In fact it was just a bit ago that rumours of reports of complete scraping of the project. Turns out to be correct.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66998692