So yet again, another big project is under threat due to escalating costs, campaigners against etc...will ANYTHING ever be built again as planned?

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The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

Most infrastructure projects are though...its the financial pay off in the long run that matters and the benefit to the country as a whole.

£30bn overrun is less than what we'd be paying the EU!

Get it done as far as Birmingham...THEN review stage 2!

I'd prefer them to then look at The Northern Powerhouse rail project instead, which aims to connect East to West and would light a fire under the Northern economy.

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

I've often wondered what the benefit of a reduced time of 60mins is actually worth? for me its more about connecting the parts of the country that are struggling, or at the very least that HS2 would increase goods traffic as well, taking the burden off of the roads.

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

It's a line that goes though several "key marginal constituencies" and a "brave" political decision.

Best to get a inquiry in place before an election and ensure the outcome of it is announced afterwards to minimise the impact on votes.

Phase 1 on its own offers the lowest benefit. It may even have been better to start in the north and work their way down, but it's been assessed as a stand alone project.

For phase 1 land had been bought and construction has started. Stopping halt way through would cost loads and deliver £0 economic benefit. Might as well finish it, especially if some of the funding is borrowed money from private sources.

The real benefits will come when phases 2 and beyond are added.

I really cannot make my mind up about HS2. The line to Manchester may not save much time and in isolation is not worth it. However if the plan is to build a high link up the spine of the country to Scotland linking the major cities and also have branches to Wales and the Southwest then it maybe justified.

as jeeagles states it probabley would have been better to start in the north.

One more point

If Scotland has gone independent then we won't be building it to their border. They can pay to link it to the UK network.

One more point