COMMENT: Fast Speed One

Do we really need HS2? 

Back in August 2013 the late Vernon Murphy wrote in Business Travel News questioning the sense in HS2.

Has anything really changed?  

What Murphy was saying six years ago is that costs are going to soar and HS2 should be replaced by “Fast Speed One”, 150mph trains against 200mph expresses. Since HS2 will stop at London’s Old Oak Common (the new name for Willesden Junction) and Manchester International Airport, does the saving in time justify the cost?

There is little doubt the case for a new rail link is vital, but is the cost escalation justified? Better to go for Fast Speed One!

See also BTN 26 August 2013 and HS2 costs escalate in this issue

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

David Starkie, London

Mr Morris does not make any constructive comments. The other argument for HS2 is to rebalance the economy in favour of the Midlands and the North. I suspect both are walking into a trap. The London economy is so huge and powerful that HS2 could act to the detrement of both. There is little evidence that the gains come at the of the line.

Julie McNicholas , Barnsley

HS2 is a gravy train. Destroying the countryside, destroying people’s lives. It’s not bribing any benefits to those inbetween but still having to suffer the consequences. Poor business case, geological issues with the route, no tunnels in the north, a concrete noisy monolith serving only those at each end of the line to save 25mins? Just get up early if you need to be in 15mins earlier!! Money better invested on effective services for commuters especially in the North. It’s a vanity project pure and simple and tax payers are picking up the ever increasing bill.

John Morris, Manchester

Stunning ignorance in the comment section, I'm afraid.Have you actually read any of the business case material? Do you understand that HS2 is about capacity, and speed gives greater capacity? This is a very poor case of being an 'armchair expert', or yet another bit of subversive comment from one if the usual 'anti HS2 mob'. Which is it?

Paul Connellan, Manchester

This project is a public disgrace. Now up over £70 Billion and it is believed the true figure to get it to Manchester and Leeds is actually over £90 Billion. Initially the justification was time saving but when that was universally demolished it was changed to West Coast Capacity. Christian Wolmar has comprehensively demolished these arguments. We must stop this waste of public money now.