On the face of it faster train times sounds fantastic.
How is it going to create all the benefits that it's supporters bang on about? Will it be able to transport freight as well as passengers? If so what products will it transport that will be able to justify the cost?
I'm all for getting as much transport off the road as possible but aren't these people, like so many others, just spinning a fantasy that politicians can't turn down cos it looks like they are being progressive?
Wouldn't this money be better spent on rolling stock and network upgrades/improvements over the entire network or at least over the major arterial part of the network.
I just don't see the real benefit to the country, business and employment. Obviously during construction there will be a lot of extra workers needed but surely the justification is that it will bring about new or improved businesses that require more permanent workers.
I do understand the concerns of people on the route who are opposed but at the end of the day if we are to modernise things like this need to happen. BUT there needs to be a real benefit not just a massive ego "tank" for Cameron/Clegg/add whoever.
I just don't see getting people to concerts or exhibitions at the NEC is going to restore the countries economy, especially when no one will be able to afford to use it.
I'd love to travel on Virgin when I go to London for trips as it can be a very short trip. Instead mor eoften than not I save quite a bit of cash and get the London Midland service that takes twice as long.
