HS2 has ruined my chances of owning a house

kabayiri

Pennywise wrote: »

Worst thing is we'll be using yesterday's technology to build it and run yesterday's trains on it. It'll be out of date when it's built.

At least China are innovative and using tomorrow's technology.

I'd rather spend 50 billion quid on our graphene research program than HS2.

We are in danger of losing the lead in something we discovered. Both China and USA hold more patents in Graphene than we do.

Our research facilities in Manchester were still worthy enough for the Chinese premier to seek out a visit.

Canny folk these Chinese. I bet he didnt bother to ask to see the HS2 plans.

Besides, who will be able to afford to use HS2. It's bound to be at least a 1/3 dearer than normal tickets to London. That rules out most of the tax payers then.

always_sunny

kabayiri wrote: »

Besides, who will be able to afford to use HS2. It's bound to be at least a 1/3 dearer than normal tickets to London. That rules out most of the tax payers then.

Have you been to a HS train recently? I have and pretty much every time they're full, some must be able to use them. Oddly enough even stats seem to support the theory that YoY there's an increase in passenger use!

I agree though that prices could be slightly cheaper, that is overall the rail network, however it doesn't seem to be a deterrent.

kabayiri

always_sunny wrote: »

Have you been to a HS train recently? I have and pretty much every time they're full, some must be able to use them. Oddly enough even stats seem to support the theory that YoY there's an increase in passenger use!

I agree though that prices could be slightly cheaper, that is overall the rail network, however it doesn't seem to be a deterrent.

The last HS train I was on was a French train heading south out of Paris.

I'm not sure of the exact price, but it was very reasonable if memory serves. So it can be done.

The last train from Manchester to London on non-HS was nearly 300 quid! That's okay for big business I suppose but it's getting too rich for the likes of me I'm afraid.

(edit: I see it's 338 quid now on Rail Enquiries, ouch).

edinburgher

Hello - is that the North? :rotfl:

Let's hope hey get really carried away, I could use a dose of HPI in Scotland

always_sunny

kabayiri wrote: »

The last HS train I was on was a French train heading south out of Paris.

I'm not sure of the exact price, but it was very reasonable if memory serves. So it can be done.

The last train from Manchester to London on non-HS was nearly 300 quid! That's okay for big business I suppose but it's getting too rich for the likes of me I'm afraid.

(edit: I see it's 338 quid now on Rail Enquiries, ouch).

That an anytime return fare but really you can buy a cheaper fare! You could go tomorrow morning and back early afternoon for £123 which is not that bad given the journey.

I suppose it's easy to moan. The argument you had is 'who's going to use', many do, many have that money to spend, business do. Take a HS and you will see it's often packed.

Of course it could be cheaper, of course it could be anything but even as it is now it seems to be used!

isplumm

Pennywise wrote: »

Worst thing is we'll be using yesterday's technology to build it and run yesterday's trains on it. It'll be out of date when it's built.

At least China are innovative and using tomorrow's technology.

Hi

Can you clarify exactly what new technology China compared the HS2 - as far as I was aware all high speed rails in China are built use the same material as the UK?

Mark

isplumm

kabayiri wrote: »

I'd rather spend 50 billion quid on our graphene research program than HS2.

We are in danger of losing the lead in something we discovered. Both China and USA hold more patents in Graphene than we do.

Our research facilities in Manchester were still worthy enough for the Chinese premier to seek out a visit.

Canny folk these Chinese. I bet he didnt bother to ask to see the HS2 plans.

Besides, who will be able to afford to use HS2. It's bound to be at least a 1/3 dearer than normal tickets to London. That rules out most of the tax payers then.

Why would he look at HS2? The Chinese are so far ahead of us in that game!

Mark

ruperts

£60bn on a single rail line is ridiculous. Much better spent on roads all around the country.

zagubov

ruperts wrote: »

£60bn on a single rail line is ridiculous. Much better spent on roads all around the country.

Why's it that expensive? :eek:

We could build a ladder to Mars for that and still have change!

always_sunny

ruperts wrote: »

£60bn on a single rail line is ridiculous. Much better spent on roads all around the country.

is it? Doesn't the UK spend twice as much a year on pensions?