Ot: Hs2

[crazyfists]

Sorry Magpie Mike but up here where I live the train prices are the major sticking point. I read a comment on the BBC story yesterday that from Newcastle to London by train off peak is about £140, on peak £340 and if you book months on advance about £100. You expect people to pay this instead of say £50 in petrol? It's about time people from down south actually asked people on the North how they feel not tell us how we should be feeling. The whole thing is a joke, who cares you can get more trains to London quicker, like I said big ****ing whoop. Most business is done online and over the phone anyway, why would being able to get to London easier make the North a 'powerhouse' for business? It's bull****.

[SwalePie]

Sorry Magpie Mike but up here where I live the train prices are the major sticking point. I read a comment on the BBC story yesterday that from Newcastle to London by train off peak is about £140, on peak £340 and if you book months on advance about £100. You expect people to pay this instead of say £50 in petrol? It's about time people from down south actually asked people on the North how they feel not tell us how we should be feeling. The whole thing is a joke, who cares you can get more trains to London quicker, like I said big ****ing whoop. Most business is done online and over the phone anyway, why would being able to get to London easier make the North a 'powerhouse' for business? It's bull****.

I needed to go to Kirkcaldy in Scotland on Monday and looked at train prices from Grantham. The best price I could find was £135 one way and a little more return, but the times didn't work for me.. Bonkers. As you say, if it's cheaper for one person in a car than to use the train people will use the car. I went there and back in the car for about £75 of fuel.

[MagpieMike]

Sorry Magpie Mike but up here where I live the train prices are the major sticking point. I read a comment on the BBC story yesterday that from Newcastle to London by train off peak is about £140, on peak £340 and if you book months on advance about £100. You expect people to pay this instead of say £50 in petrol? It's about time people from down south actually asked people on the North how they feel not tell us how we should be feeling. The whole thing is a joke, who cares you can get more trains to London quicker, like I said big ****ing whoop. Most business is done online and over the phone anyway, why would being able to get to London easier make the North a 'powerhouse' for business? It's bull****.

I didn't comment on prices. i completely agree with you. Rail prices are ridiculously high. When I worked for a Midlands Charity in the late 90s I occasionally had to go to meetings in London. Even then it was cheaper as a single occupant to drive than get the train. The way to combat high prices is to have a properly nationalised rail network, like most of the rest of Europe. (EU and none EU before anyone goes into that argument).

[Elite_Pie]

Sorry Magpie Mike but up here where I live the train prices are the major sticking point. I read a comment on the BBC story yesterday that from Newcastle to London by train off peak is about £140, on peak £340 and if you book months on advance about £100.

I've barely used a train since the 70s when the supporters club used to organise them to all away games, but those prices are outrageous. I've flown to Portugal for £9.99 each way before, and even today I can book a return flight to there or Menorca for a total price of £42.

[Oldstripy]

Scrap it and use some of the money to electrify the Midland main line.

[MagpieMike]

Scrap it and use some of the money to electrify the Midland main line.

Or better, do both. The Midland mainline has lacked investment for years. My understanding from someone who works in the industry is that they are currently electrifying north of Bedford, but its a long way from reaching us.

[Old_pie]

Or better, do both. The Midland mainline has lacked investment for years. My understanding from someone who works in the industry is that they are currently electrifying north of Bedford, but its a long way from reaching us.

My understanding is that the tunnel just south of the River Trent near the power station is too low to accommodate the overhead cables and pantograph and there are possibly other locations similarly restricted which end making the cost astronomical.

[MagpieMike]

My understanding is that the tunnel just south of the River Trent near the power station is too low to accommodate the overhead cables and pantograph and there are possibly other locations similarly restricted which end making the cost astronomical.

That makes sense.

[dam617]

Or better, do both. The Midland mainline has lacked investment for years. My understanding from someone who works in the industry is that they are currently electrifying north of Bedford, but its a long way from reaching us.

Despite being a Forest Fan my wife and I go to Wembley once a year, on a Sunday.
Last October we turned up at Nottingham station and were informed that due to engineering works we had to go to Grantham then down from there.
We weren't too happy and had time concerns.
It was actually quicker - those who have used this line won't be surprised.
Had to stand all the way back though - I managed to "accidentally' kick the shin of one of the numerous ****agers sat with their faces in their phones for the whole journey whilst several 'oldies' had to stand.

[lunaspie]

Despite being a Forest Fan my wife and I go to Wembley once a year, on a Sunday.

If you don't mind me asking,next year - where will you be sitting at Wembley ?