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.

It's coming up to 5 years now since the last posting on this topic. During that time there has been so much destruction and disruption. I have lots of views on HS 2, but would love to hear from others exactly what their thoughts are.

What is there to say that hasn't already been said Mick? Cleverer more learned people than me can build a case for it, since when has anyone taken any notice of a pleb like me.

I don't think that enough free thinking is applied to how we will use transport in the future. Working from home during the pandemic proved that it can be done but isn't as effective as being at a workplace. I think that means work hubs but not that everything should be London centric. HS2 was about serving London, not anywhere else. Instead of pushing work forces further and further away from where they work, more needs to be made of living in cities, Grenfell and out of control lease owners, have severely damaged flat dwelling. Money would be well spent shoring up the safety and financial protection for flat dwellers. Up not out. For those impacted by building projects (not just rail), they can be devastating and there is very little compensation, which leads to more problems with protests and obstructions.

I'm bemused by the whole thing...... Though I've not seen any official noticfication, I understand the A429 Coventry Road is to be closed to traffic for 7 weeks 24/7 from Mon 2nd June 2025 - Sun 20th July 2025 with one exception. I understand that exception is Kenilworth Carnival day Sunday 29th June 2025

I have never given much thought to H2S, being exiled here in the south. I remember that when it was first approved I thought that it was a potentially strategic route in event of war and the need to move heavy equipment from one end of the county to another without trying to use our dodgy road network.

Hello, In over thirty years, my opinion hasn't changed from the original high speed inter-continental scheme blueprinted in the sixties. Everything else being equal, the goegraphics & so on, the most efficient hub is a hub at the centre. Try riding a bike with the wheel hub anywhere but the centre. When the HS1, & the channel tunnel were in the design stage, the now defunct Great Central Railway was still in place, although very rundown by then. A terminal base, somewhere between Rugby & Derby, for both passengers & freight, coupled to an upgraded East coast & West coast mainline, plus utilising the Settle to Scotland route for freight. Then to finish off with a trunk route from the South & west country would have I believe provided a sound physical communication transport. I kind of shared this on here ten years ago. My view hasn't changed.

My view hasn't changed either. It is continually being reinforced every day by the inconvenience of being stuck in traffic jams caused by road closures, temporary traffic lights (most of them unnecessary), and HS2's arrogant attitude: "we own the flipping public highway so we take priority over the general public" (most of whom are working on something worthwhile which will benefit the nation. Every day of being inconvenienced like this increases my bitterness to HS2. Not just my time being wasted, but the extra cost in fuel, wear and tear on my car (and my body's ageing joints, having to press pedals, turn the steering wheel etc.), having to drive miles in detours. To date, I have not received notification from our wonderful government or HS2 that they will reimburse me for these additional costs. Nobody mentioned that when they proclaimed how great HS2 would be. Every time I eventually see a green temporary light and am able to drive on the main road, I give a V-sign both to the left and right sites, and mutter "HS ******* 2!". Now, being a pragmatic person, an engineer all my life, I concede that this action of mine does not actually achieve anything of practical use. It does not impede the works, nor does it make HS2 disappear. But it doesn't half make me feel better! The reality is (or will be if it ever gets finished during my stay on this planet) that the journey time (the latest predicted one which is longer than they first shouted about - it was going to do 250mph, but later they toned it down to 225mph because of some feeble reason along the lines [no pun] of "the track won't be as straight as we first imagined"), that until recent years, a train left BHM at 0730 non-stop to EUS; HS2 will only knock 20-odd minutes off that journey time. So to go to London, I will have to get a train from COV, say, to BHM, which is 20 miles in the wrong direction. Then scuttle across to the new HS2 station and board a train which will whizz along, but stop somewhere in the wilds of north London, then get a tube or other train to complete the journey to EUS. Isn't that clever? PS I often refer to HS2 as HSf2. The "f" is short for "flawed idea", if you like LOL.

Hi Slim, I am completely in agreement with you. Living in Tamworth it seems every direction we go in is affected by HS2. The Road to Sutton Coldfield, the A5 by pass to Lichfield and through Coleshill to Coventry. It is going to be a right eyesore at Coleshill, the massive supports that are going up. We use this route to go to our daughter's near Kenilworth and tried to find an alternative and then they closed the A46 for 6 weeks. In the long run I doubt if there will be many people in this area using it. Did you take into account in your timing the extra time in morning traffic to get into Birmingham? We had to go in a couple times in the last few weeks and it took us longer to get in (used an Uber for the first time, very impressed) than for Roy to have his cataract done ! It's a waste of time moaning though, just wish they would hurry up and finish it.

I feel the argument for HS2 was lost the moment it was revealed no direct link to HS1 at St Pancras. Passengers would need to use either a taxi, bus or Underground to link from Euston to St Pancras. Now there are big doubts that HS2 will even reach Euston! As for Coventrians gaining any time benefit over the proposed shortened journey time, don't forget, they need to get to either Birmingham International Birmingham first. Annewiggy, I know only too well what you're going through. I used to travel along the A446 a lot, not just to access the M6 but further north, Lichfield and the Peak District. But with all the goings on, that now puts an unpleasant increase in journey times for a day out visiting family. Likewise Drayton Manor Park. I also used to buy my cars from a Sutton Coldfield showroom, it takes longer to get there than to complete the deal, inc any exchange value haggling!

Hello, There's quite a lot of upgrading going on, that was instigated by the former West Midlands Mayor for the rail network between the Midlands & Manchester. Whilst that isn't HS2, it's kind of in line with what many rail people envisaged, by modernising the Great Central rather than the over-expensive current HS2.