Scrap the idiotic HS2 project already

Transport ● National by Thatcherite_Brummie · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Local · 4 months ago
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I'm sick of hearing about the HS2 debacle, it's been years of delays and cost overruns, and for what, so a bunch of suits can get to London a bit quicker, it's a complete waste of money. The estimated cost is now over 100 billion pounds, it's just staggering, and the benefits are dubious at best.

I'd scrap the whole thing and use the money for something actually useful, like upgrading our existing rail network, you know, the one that people actually use. The state of some of our local lines is appalling, with delays and cancellations all the time, and that's what we should be focusing on, not some vanity project.

I've spoken to plenty of people who use the trains regularly and none of them think HS2 is a good idea, they just want a reliable service that gets them to work on time, is that too much to ask.

Thatcherite_Brummie 🤝 Constituency Agent Local

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Discussion (4)

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You know, @LizCheltAccounts, I think you might be missing the point a bit. It's not just about speed for those suits, it's about having space on the existing lines for more local services. They keep saying that's the big benefit, freeing up capacity. If they're not even planning to run more local trains on the old lines once HS2 is done, then what's the point of all that extra room?
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The article mentions 100 billion pounds as the cost. WendyCheshire touched on the economic case, but have they factored in the ongoing maintenance costs for HS2, not just the build? Because those can easily double the initial outlay over a few decades. Plus, what's the actual projected ridership versus capacity on existing lines they'd free up?
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I'm with you on this one, pet, HS2 is a waste of money if you ask me. I see how much our local schools are struggling with funding, my own school is having to cut back on teaching assistants, and it's a shame.

We should be prioritizing the things that matter to ordinary people, like decent school meals and a reliable rail service, not some fancy new line that'll just benefit a few businessmen. I've seen it with my own eyes, the state of our local trains is a joke, and that's what needs sorting out, not some vanity project.
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I agree that schools are a priority, and it's concerning to hear about teaching assistants being cut. My own experience as a governor tells me that resources are stretched thin everywhere.

However, the argument about HS2 only benefiting businessmen isn't quite right. The economic case, if it ever pans out, is supposed to be about wider capacity and connecting regions, not just speed for commuters. The real question is whether the projected benefits outweigh the immense cost and disruption, especially when local services are so neglected.
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