HS2 Confusion

I hear a lot being said about how the HS2 will earn so much money for Britain (latest figures are £15bn) but I don't understand the hows and whys of that - isn't it just another train but one that goes a bit faster? How will that generate income for the country?

It's costing £42bn (to date) to build and won't start 'earning' money until 2037 - all to arrive in London 20 minutes quicker? If the existing railway network doesn't operate efficiently, how will this make such a massive difference?

Wouldn't £42bn be better spent on improving the lives of everyone in Britain?

I have heard that the 'independent' report was actually commissioned by the people wanting to build it - and that turns out to be a European company. Have we been sold another crock?

Re: HS2 Confusion

No idea what you are talking about but look at the bright side; you can get out of London 20 minutes quicker.

Re: HS2 Confusion

I don't see how it will earn any money at all. apart from for the people who want to build it, it's going to cost a lot of money just to save 20 minutes off a journey.

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I'm inclined to agree. It MAY benefit some businesses to some extent, but I don't know enough to comment on that. My feeling is that it will only benefit those who build it, as Jimmy says.

The NHS could do with all that money, which would surely benefit far more people in the long run...

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When it is finished the ordinary man in the street, will not be able to afford a ride on it, a bit like the Concord airplane.

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I am so relieved to hear others say they don't understand it as well. It does seem that it could be another bit of palm-greasing going on in Europe with us footing the bill

That was one of my main thoughts: I'm sure people would rather the Health Service was put right instead of a very fast train!

Re: HS2 Confusion

Which begs the question: why is the taxpayer paying for it?

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This is my understanding, London and the Home Counties coexist with the rest of the country in that they have their own set of salary structures, and subsequent property values, it obviously puts a greater strain on private and public company payrolls in this area, and reduces the competitiveness of the companies concerned, so, if you can ship commuters in from a greater distance, where living costs are less, companies can then use these workers as a tool to level the playing field, the cost savings being used as a case for the HS2.

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Wouldn't it be better then to just do away with centralisation? It always causes these social problems for both sides and makes no sense to me at all especially with today's technology - it just isn't necessary.

Re: HS2 Confusion

Hmm, thought that this was/is a Post Code in the Hebrides. You are all very welcome to visit the Hebrides & have a wonderful holiday. Plenty of Midgies & Clegs at the moment.
Maybe after the P.O. is privatised we will need all the tourism that we can get as we will not be able to rely on the P.O. Probably cut off for ever! Maybe we should be independant from the whole of the U.K.
Who's coming up on holiday? Sorry no railway's since Lord Leverhume.
I'm off to St Lucia!