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It’s the BLAIR card!
FFS not a sod was turned under Labour, this sits squarely with the Tories and their 14 years of chaos and 7 SoS for Transport
I think that it's reasonable for the incoming government in 2010 to rely on what was the current report, which was Labour's 2010 High Speed Rail report, and Labour's appointed company, HS2 Ltd.
The 2014 review by David Higgins, the new conservative-appointed chair of HS2 Ltd, identified various issues^^ with Labour's approach. What's the phrase? P-Poor Planning...
I think that it’s reasonable for the incoming government in 2010 to rely on what was the current report, which was Labour’s 2010 High Speed Rail report, and Labour’s appointed company, HS2 Ltd.
The 2014 review by David Higgins, the new conservative-appointed chair of HS2 Ltd, identified various issues^^ with Labour’s approach. What’s the phrase? P-Poor Planning…
That was mostly political.
2009, DfT (under Labour) created HS2 Ltd to assess a second HS line (originally with intentions to connect to HS1, the St Pancras - Dover Eurostar line). In 2010, there was a Con-Lib coalition Government which promptly started messing around with things and it's all fallen apart since then with progressive reviews, reviews of the reviews, "cost-cutting" and downgrading.
In 2010, there was a Con-Lib coalition Government which promptly started messing around with things and it’s all fallen apart since then with progressive reviews, reviews of the reviews, “cost-cutting” and downgrading.
The whole thing should have started anew and that is the fault of the conservatives. More analysis and some debated options, an understanding of the details before inviting tenders, etc.
Just reducing the speed of the trains from 400kph would have led to huge savings and reduced engineering problems, but these decisions need to be made at the beginning
A major infrastructure project report dashed out for the general election in 2010 was never a good place to begin, especially as initial cost estimates are wildly optimistic for most government projects
especially as initial cost estimates are wildly optimistic for most government projects
Contractors are forced to do this though because if they don't massage the numbers their competitor will, and win the bid. This is the problem with focusing on cost so much.
Just reducing the speed of the trains from 400kph would have led to huge savings and reduced engineering problems, but these decisions need to be made at the beginning
Absolutely this ^^.
It never needed 400kph trains. 300 would have been fine and dramatically cheaper. But Government wanted the gold-plated, "world leading", best in class option - another political own goal just to say we had a faster train than the French / Spanish / Japanese.
Problem is that for every 10% faster you go than 300, costs of building and maintaining track, trains and infrastructure increases about 40%. It becomes uneconomical to try for much above that, even though many HS trains are designed and tested (on special test tracks) for 400kph.
Normal operating speed of the French TGV is 300 with sections at 320 although I think it's supposed to be future proofed up to 350.
Euston - last news I had was they were starting preliminary work on the tunnels from West London to Euston, as they realised, finally, that Old Oak would not work as a terminus. Loads of simple reasons that should be obvious, but werent to the idiots who were planning it (making it up as they went along, as they were mates of the Government, and didnt have a clue aboyt the requirements).
As for the overall scheme, its just a complete cock up from start to finish. Initial wants were the fastest rail line in Europe. When thought about sanely, this was a stupid requirement that was not needed, and added, probably, 50% to the construction phase, as everything had to be made to very high standards, rather than the usual rail standards (which are high anyway). The tunneling cost a fortune, and viaducts in lots of places added more to the cost, these were planned as NIMBY would object to any surface lines in many areas.
Cutting back the Northern section is completely stupid, but hopefully Labour will reverse that decision, and continue with both northern legs, which will help a lot with reduction of congestion on lines around the south and Midlands. Currently the rail lines north to south/VV are pretty much full, making it difficult to add new services, and even harder for freight trains, which is the big move we need now to get trucks off the roads.
As it is, there will be a shuttle service to Birmingham, and some other trains will continue on the current lines North. Its a total bodge, and will not add much capacity to the system, at an extortionate cost. There is still time for them to see sense, and get the other bits added back in, to make it a good addition to the network.
I’m ambivalent about hs2
but, in the meantime, they could use that money to add new stations on existing lines.
theres a Trainline that goes through Kirkintilloch.
adding a station there would improve access and improve house prices.
the revenue from these new train stations could be ploughed back into hs2, or other projects.
if the govt wants to meet its housing targets, they’re going to need these ‘bridgeheads’ to establish new towns.
“theres a Trainline that goes through Kirkintilloch.
adding a station there would improve access and improve house prices.”
That’s a Scottish Government decision and cost. Get onto your MSP. Scotrail does have a reasonably good record with openings and enhancements, certainly in the central belt, maybe not so good in more rural areas. Many people in Stranraer are still fuming about having no trains for 9 months (started again a few weeks ago I think).
adding a station there would improve access and improve house prices.
Sounds like you need to watch "letters to a president" to get your wish.
theres a Trainline that goes through Kirkintilloch.
adding a station there would improve access and improve house prices.
You've got Lenzie station just down the road, and it's on the Glasgow to Edinburgh mainline?
Apparently the plan to salt the earth didn't come to fruition, so land purchase shouldn't be a barrier to reinstating
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz4725118r5o.amp
Turns out the Tories are actually not the party of the economy, business, infrastructure etc. Who'd have thought it?!
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/29/hs2-costs-rishi-sunak-chief-executive
You’ve got Lenzie station just down the road, and it’s on the Glasgow to Edinburgh mainline?
I think he means the old line running through Lennxtown. Which would be a line to nowhere, there are plenty lines needing improving or restoring before that.
Kilmacolm, the old Paisley Canal join onto the Ayrshire line (which would fix capacity issues between Gilmour Street and Central), double track the Largs line, send a service to Ayr, finish electrifying the Kilmarnock line, send more services to Ayr. I'd even say the Stranraer to Dumfries spur would be more viable, maybe the Dunblane - Crainlarich route via Doune and Callander. And more bike trains!