HS2

[pvr]

I have never quite understood the benefit of this link, as basically it would mean that people working in London can then live in Manchester for half the living cost and still travel to work?

What is the benefit for Manchester as it would only raise their house prices as far as I can see.

[TitanTim]

Wouldn't it have updated a rail network that's still stuck in the 1880s?

Pretty much a disastrous handling of affairs, either start and complete it or not at all, pathetic really.

Think of all the money a preparatory work and effort that had already gone into the Phase 2 leg which is now completely wasted and down the drain.

Think I did around a years worth or work on HS2 working in planning in Local Government as the route came through Staffs, waste of time

You simply can't believe anything this Goverment promises.

The North South divide again.

Tim.

[pvr]

I think 2 hours 15 as the current time from London to Manchester is pretty impressive though. To be fair, who travels by train nowadays on a regular basis as everyone seems to work from home, so the need for a link for economic reasons does not seem to be there anymore.

[TitanTim]

I think the train service would be used alot more if it was a decent service to begin with. No incentive to use it as it currently stands. Strikes and outdated. it's hardly surprising people want to work from home.

Tim.

[jock156]

Out of curiosity Tim, at what level were you involved in terms of planning?

[TitanTim]

Out of curiosity Tim, at what level were you involved in terms of planning?

I worked in minerals and waste planning, so the Local Authority (County Council) would have dealt with the planning applications albeight permitted development for the borrow pits/quarries needed for sand and gravel supply for the concrete requirements, culverts/bridges etc along the route in Staffordshire. Also involved in preparatory work in supplying HS2 consultants with the necessary environmental impact/historical planning info required along the route, old landfills etc that would have impacted the route. I would imagine the construction industry will be receive a good hit now in lost work along with jobs that were taken on to fulfill HS2 requirements.

Of course the Government are now going to redirect HS2 budget on other construction and transport projects oh and filling in pot holes Not convinced

Tim.

[jock156]

Good work! I deal with planners daily further down the food chain

[TitanTim]

Good work! I deal with planners daily further down the food chain

All in a past tense for me now though

Tim.

[N4LLY]

We have had the fast train for years.
Folkestone Central to St. Pancras = 54 Minutes.
(£29 return)

[Nanu]

Wouldn't it have updated a rail network that's still stuck in the 1880s?

Pretty much a disastrous handling of affairs, either start and complete it or not at all, pathetic really.

Think of all the money a preparatory work and effort that had already gone into the Phase 2 leg which is now completely wasted and down the drain.

Think I did around a years worth or work on HS2 working in planning in Local Government as the route came through Staffs, waste of time

You simply can't believe anything this Government promises.

The North South divide again.

Tim.

I think the problem goes back further and wider than this Govt.

Alistair Darling first proposed HS2 and approved the route which was never viable in the first place. If successive Govts were intent on building it, they should have started in Newcastle / York / Leeds then Manchester before going onto Brum and South.

Heard an interesting interview with the project manager for HS1 which was brought in 8 weeks early and under budget. The reason for his success and HS2 failure was simple. The contractors bidding for HS1 were never told the budget, so tended under. For HS2 the budget was well known as was the estimated contingency so contractors upped their bids right from the start taking into account the total budget and the contingency fund.

[TitanTim]

Wouldn't it have updated a rail network that's still stuck in the 1880s?

Pretty much a disastrous handling of affairs, either start and complete it or not at all, pathetic really.

Think of all the money a preparatory work and effort that had already gone into the Phase 2 leg which is now completely wasted and down the drain.

Think I did around a years worth or work on HS2 working in planning in Local Government as the route came through Staffs, waste of time

You simply can't believe anything this Government promises.

The North South divide again.

Tim.

I think the problem goes back further and wider than this Govt.

Alistair Darling first proposed HS2 and approved the route which was never viable in the first place. If successive Govts were intent on building it, they should have started in Newcastle / York / Leeds then Manchester before going onto Brum and South.

Heard an interesting interview with the project manager for HS1 which was brought in 8 weeks early and under budget. The reason for his success and HS2 failure was simple. The contractors bidding for HS1 were never told the budget, so tended under. For HS2 the budget was well known as was the estimated contingency so contractors upped their bids right from the start taking into account the total budget and the contingency fund.

I've heard alot of quotes saying the works should have commenced from Manchester, the south will basically get what it wanted

Ironically, I reckon if the Victorians were building it today it would most likely be finished by now, there lies the problem, this Country lost it's greatness an awfully long time ago

A great opportunity missed.

Tim.

[Mr Tidy]

Ironically, I reckon if the Victorians were building it today it would most likely be finished by now, there lies the problem, this Country lost it's greatness an awfully long time ago

A great opportunity missed.

That's true!

But I'm not sure how much use it would get - I'd far rather travel by car, in my own space, my own control of the temperature and choice of music.

Plus it's quicker given that I live over 30 miles from Euston so it would take me ages to get to it!

[TitanTim]

Ironically, I reckon if the Victorians were building it today it would most likely be finished by now, there lies the problem, this Country lost it's greatness an awfully long time ago

A great opportunity missed.

That's true!

But I'm not sure how much use it would get - I'd far rather travel by car, in my own space, my own control of the temperature and choice of music.

Plus it's quicker given that I live over 30 miles from Euston so it would take me ages to get to it!

I think more people would use a fast, clean, punctual value for money train service with capacity, I would but I wouldn't at the moment, think users have moved away from trains due to poor service. Like you would rather use the car these days.

Tim.

[pvr]

Last few times I flew to Manchester. Was £70 return compared to about £250 for a train ticket. Madness.

[TitanTim]

Last few times I flew to Manchester. Was £70 return compared to about £250 for a train ticket. Madness.

I know, crazy, so long as you don't mind sitting on a plane full of British tourists

Tim.