HS2

Today's news: "HS2 final go-ahead HS2 is passing the point of no return, with Boris Johnson signalling the start of construction work, ending a decade of debate over the multibillion-pound line." Whilst not a railway fanatic, i.e. I have never train-spotted, nor do I get excited about a "Class xyz thundering through Wanton Creek blowing its whistle", I have always supported the railways as a passenger. It's a brilliant way of getting from a to b, e.g. COV to EUS in an hour - you couldn't do that in a Ferrari breaking speed limits. Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Bournemouth, Plymouth - to name a few places I've been on the railroad. Road traffic levels are back to normal, with otiose jams caused by the volume of traffic, plus the odd ditherer. Yet bus and train use remains at an all-time low, and does not seem likely to get back to anywhere near normal levels. I suspect many are eschewing public transport in favour of private cars, using the fear of covid to justify their actions. A lady, who runs one of the coffee shops I frequent, this morning said that, even though HS2 workers have "the law" on their side, the protestors are not wasting their time. She pointed out that they are frustrating/slowing down the work (legally or otherwise), and that more importantly, they are raising the general public's awareness of the things against HS2, and are gaining support.

Only Boris could announce the "Start of Construction" with a half built bridge behind him! (video)

Half a bridge, half a bridge, Half a bridge onward... A half bridge is not much use to a railway or a road, but a half bridge is a every useful device in power electronics.