What I was pointing out was that the train may not be quick, but it is much more frequent. At present there are 7 trains to Glasgow and 8 to Edinburgh.
I'd question that assertion also, Flybe currently fly 6 times a day SOU-EDI (in both directions), 5 times a day EDI-LCY, 7 times a day EDI-BHX and "only" 4 times a day EDI-MAN, and (impressively) between MAN-EXT.
None of those are indeed very quick by train, but are almost comparable for frequency.
I was specifically referring to MAN. Of the other routes, BHX is vulnerable only because many people find it easier to city centre stations than out of town airports. Within central England, air is viable because Cross Country services are still so slow; frequency is fine. EXE is supported by being Flybe HQ.
Not absolutely sure what you mean ref. BHX. EDI is excellently connected to the city by the trams, and BHX by "proper" trains that run at a very high frequency to Birmingham New Street.
Even given the ever growing faff of airport security routes as long at EDI / BHX will never face real competition from rail, unless HS2 finds it's way north of the Border, which if it happen will be long after we're all dead!! GLA is slightly less well placed, with a road trek from Glasgow to the airport.
Not sure where EXE is, but EXT to MAN will never face real competition as the rail line doesn't go near London, and as such will never benefit from proper express trains. If the demand is there, the route is secured from rail competition.
It's about 240 miles by rail between MAN and EXT. At Intercity speeds it should take just over 3 hours. It actually takes over 4 by the few through trains. The same as it takes to drive.
It's not the time in security that puts people off. (As I write the queue in EDI is 3 minutes). It's the need to arrive so far in advance of departure. And the tram or bus takes 30 minutes to reach central Edinburgh. Given the choice of an uninterrupted train and a plane journey in several bits, I'm sure the train has most of the GLA/EDI to BHX market. The fact is that domestic traffic from EDI/GLA is static or falling, and must be hurting Flybe.
All this is wonderful, you pay your money, you take your choice. "Choice" is the important word here. It is important to have several modes of transport available.
Routes have to be profitable for carriers or they are cut. The rail operators are certainly profitable because they get one hell of a large subsidy from the government.
It will increasingly do so the more the railway infrastructre will get improved. It is interesting to see how domestic flying has changed in France and Germany since the opening of HSR lines. given the relatively small size of England most South-East-bound traffic from MAN, LBA, NCL, GLA, EDI will disappear.
Completely disagree, see above and #1003.
LHR can be properly integrated into HSR in the same way as it has been done at FRA or ZRH.
Don't hold your breath on that one! They can't even get conventional rail to go west, north and south of LHR for Pete's sake.
1. It's already been decided that HS2 won't go to LHR;
2. The vanity project that is HS2 will eventually be scrapped;
3. EU directives on "inter-operability" of high speed networks won't apply (eventually).
Unfortunately an integrated transport network is incompatible with free market capitalism. Would be deemed anticompetitive
If deemed anti-competitive, it breaks the rules of the EU internal market.
As far as Exeter and Southampton are concerned you only need to change trains an station if you choose to travel via London. There is an hourly direct train to Plymouth and some through trains to Southampton.
At London you don't "change trains" at a station. You get off, go on one or more tubes to another station then get on again. If using a taxi or bus, there's the traffic to contend with. It's not hassle-free or convenient.
A through cross-country train takes all day.
If driving, it's grid lock on the motorways or speed traps where not congested.
So why not have the
option of flying as well?