Raac

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

If this is the case 923 then perhaps this useless government could communicate this to us as I had absolutely no idea.

The lack of decent rail in the north and cross Pennine is a disgrace though, I’m sure people and freight need to travel in these directions too?

Interesting info though so thank you.

Many years ago I heard a programme about the limitations of the London to Birmingham rail line. It travels north pretty much following the M1. Ideally it would be the equivalent of a motorway but this section was similar to a dual carriageway. The real problems start when it turns west as the line now is more akin to a single carriageway. Imagine trying to timetable fast moving non-stop express with slow moving stop at every station commuter trains with few places to overtake. Then throw in freight!

I agree it’s difficult to understand why this apocryphal that it’s just about saving 20 minutes (which seems to have decreased to 10) has been allowed to grow such legs. Perhaps like so many other things in life it’s easier whether it’s SM or main stream to find the negative headline rather than the positive.

Is HS2 the best use of what is a load of money? I’ve no idea but based on the ‘capacity’ rather than the ‘time’ argument I think it has merit.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a proper informed debate with all the facts before us rather than the knee jerk which takes over?

[Omegstrat6]

Many years ago I heard a programme about the limitations of the London to Birmingham rail line. It travels north pretty much following the M1. Ideally it would be the equivalent of a motorway but this section was similar to a dual carriageway. The real problems start when it turns west as the line now is more akin to a single carriageway. Imagine trying to timetable fast moving non-stop express with slow moving stop at every station commuter trains with few places to overtake. Then throw in freight!

I agree it’s difficult to understand why this apocryphal that it’s just about saving 20 minutes (which seems to have decreased to 10) has been allowed to grow such legs. Perhaps like so many other things in life it’s easier whether it’s SM or main stream to find the negative headline rather than the positive.

Is HS2 the best use of what is a load of money? I’ve no idea but based on the ‘capacity’ rather than the ‘time’ argument I think it has merit.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a proper informed debate with all the facts before us rather than the knee jerk which takes over?

Your last sentence 923 absolutely! ! Be even nicer if all political parties would strive to do so rather than resorting to fuelling deflective stories or simple gain-saying. A "proper" and informed debate at the time on Brexit for example or a current one on immigration (a far bigger and complex issue than just the numbers of cross channel illegals). Won't hold my breathe though...

As for rail services, if you've ever tried to travel East /West rather than North/South you'd be well aware of yet another shortcoming of the current network. Regardless of any disagreements about HS2 I think we'd all be pretty much in agreement about the sad state of our public transport systems whether rail, tram, bus etc.

[Titchfieldbaggie]

Whatever the pros and cons of HS2 are, I certainly wouldn't invest until the union/management relationship is sorted out. It's been the last of the 'Dads and Lads' work spaces (for both sides) for many years now, irrespective of the current arguments. I know this is existential for the union, but it didn't end well for the printers, British Leyland or the miners (all similar constructs) in the past, so maybe a more enlightened approach could be devised and negotiated on behalf of their members. Ultimately, it is the success of the railways that will bring the most benefit to everyone concerned. Even us, who don't have a vested interest