So after yet another review Boris has given HS2 the green light....... Until the next review!
I think that they have spent so much time and money on it so far, that they should stop procrastinating and get on and build the bleddy thing!
And while they are at it, build it to Glasgow and Edinburgh as well!
It'll never go (as a true high speed link) beyond Brum, they will run out of cash. Not that it is a high speed link - its only a few mins faster than the other lines were when this idea was being dreamt up. Network Rail have had to actively slow down the existing routes to make HS2 look viable.
Remember, as well, every full time worker needs to cough up £4k for this to build it and around £1000 per year per full time worker in fare subsidies, assuming that every train running every 3 mins, running 24x7 is absolutely full - and that's assuming HS2's running costs are accurate, which they have a poor track record for. Its fair to assume that they may be able to get near to filling them at peak, but not at other times, so my estimate would be about £1500 per year per full time worker, or £600pa (£50/month) for every man, woman and child in the country, just to run it. Assuming their costs are accurate, which lets face it, they are already 5 times over the original build costs. So I wouldn't be surprised if that monthly running burden on the public goes the same way, and it being £250+ per month for every UK resident.
Anyone still think its a worthwhile plan?