Quote: “The airport does not need another station it has one connected to the national rail system with three fast trains an hour taking about 75 minutes to London. As for the WCML being at full capacity in 2020, I would suggest that is just scaremongering by the proponents of HS2. I have driven trains over the WCML for about 15 years now and the capacity issues are more down to bully boy tactics by Beardies bunch over timetabling, rather than actual capacity issues.”
Interesting point McGoonagall!
Quote: “You seem to be confusing journos who have dumbed down the project and focused on the speed and are ignoring what those involved in the project are saying.
For once this country is looking ahead, the capacity issue that everyone agrees is coming (other than you Fairdealfrank - even the anti's do not argue that case) and plans are put in place to avoid the WCML running out of capacity.”
Not so, Manchester Kurt, the truth is that the HS2 was hastily cobbled together just before the 2010 election, so it's not the journos who dumbed it down! Politicians saw another band wagon rolling and as usual, jumped on it.
Have no objections to the principle of high speed rail, so please do not imply this. The objections are to the sloppy way it’s been put together and the way it has alienated millions. It’s lack of connectivity with existing transport interchanges is probably the best way to ensure it’s a white elephant.
Common sense dictates that they need to take the time to come up with a sensible scheme that links into and compliments existing rail, road and air options and so extends choice. It is, after all, an expensive and long term project, so use the money wisely and do not settle for second best.