Bagso
The politics of HS2 are beyond me, but there was an interesting article in the FT over the weekend (behind a paywall I'm afraid).
It contrasted the very poor benefit/cost ratio of HS2 with the very attractive forecast for LHR R3 (even at the grossly inflated cost estimates for R3).
It wouldn't surprise me if HS2 gets quietly dumped, especially if the North-West politicians/council leaders finally realise that all it will do is further reinforce the dominance of London. I've always been mystified as to why Richard Leese and others have been so supportive of HS2.