I’d bet on them not doing it because costs were spiralling, in fact I wonder if Tory is leaving this as a poison pill to point out labour never did it, or why aren’t they doing it.
They should. The potential that the original project had to improve rail travel up and down the spine of the country was large and the Tory incompetence needs to be pointed out constantly with where HS2 is right now.
I’m on my KNEES for HS2
If Labour can’t get HS2 back on track (*ba-dum-tss*) this country may as well just sink into the sea.
Im confused. Did we want HS2 or not?
Back when it was a thing most media references were highly negative. Now it’s framed as if we’ve been denied our birthright. Forget the political ping pong, can we first establish if it should be done or not?
If it should be done then we should make it happen, but not just do it to embarrass the Tories (even more).
They’ll sell the land at a massive loss very quickly now.
Having gone so far it should be rejuvenated but maybe not as designed. It got as much criticism for the cities and conurbations it didn’t serve as the project itself. IMO it should serve more places which will not be a problem because we do not need a railway that goes at 225 mph in this small country. If there were a Scottish leg then there might be some justification.
While we are considering the cost of the thing has anyone seen the work compounds? They look like towns that are going to be there for centuries, with proper roads, street lighting and bridges over minor roads when a mini roundabout or traffic lights would do. I’m not advocating Victorian conditions but these are ridiculous.
If it does get built do as Andy Burnham says and start in the north, which would count for plenty of brownie points.
I can honestly see the HS2 debacle being the Tories’ equivalent of the “there is no money” note that someone left in the treasury after the 2010 election.
Honestly, by the time the tories leave power I imagine it will be a collosal uphill battle to get HS2 going again. I imagine moat supply chain partners are at wits end with the government constantly changing scope. If labour want this to be successful, they need to agree to scope within the first 6 months of being in and not fucking change it over trivial shit like ‘Giles say it will ruin his country house views’.
The Tories have scuttled that ship. They will ensure at least some of the land if sold off and the money destined for HS2 is squandered elsewhere. They are now operating in the expectation of losing the election so will fuck up what they can before they hand over.
So they can’t sell the land.
I do find it funny that the Tories can’t even salt the earth properly.
They’re still actively working on it north of Bham through Lichfield etc, and all the roadworks on major roads are still there … Wish they’d make their minds up – carry on or pack up and let motorists have their roads back.
Fair few huge railway bridges created around the mids as well – looks like they’ll lead to / from nowhere!
Except the Tories have already promised the money for it elsewhere.
We’ll only know when it comes to serious election time. Any pledge on this at the minute will be used to attack Labour.
“Labour promises to bring back HS2” will turn into “Labour want to waste BILLIONS OF YOUR MONEY”
Too many morons not looking past the high speed element and not understanding the need for it on an infrastructure level. Not understanding how HS2 will greatly improve the network and allow more commuter trains on lines that are already built.
​
‘just build better local services’ – and connect them to what?
do people think that NIMBY’s are only not in favour of HS2 and will be all for other ones?
they could but due to how bad the Tories have done over the last 13yrs…the money isn’t there, other things will need to be prioritized first, maybe that could look at if they get a 2nd term but off the bat, no chance…the best I could see them doing is looking at all the money they get from doing HS2 and using that to improve railway in the North
Ah so they have money for this possibility, but not for NHS and junior doctors?
Labour, could and should build HS2 to its original spec, but I don’t think they will.
It’s probably dead now.
Labour’s problem right now is they are too worried about having negative headlines from mainstream media.
Them going ahead with HS2, the media will call them “reckless” with the public purse, so that will probably be seen as a a reason not to do it.
Restarting a project will cost an absolute fortune. All the contracts will need to be redone – with up to date costs including inflation. Staff with knowledge will have moved on – so there will be a learning process trying to get back to where they were.
Not saying it should be done – but it is going to be very, very expensive- much more so than previous estimates thanks to the Tories.
Stop calling it “HS2” and just call it “upgrading our ancient train infrastructure”.
Much like the rest of the issues in the UK people are arguing about who gets what. (“ooh wants the point of getting to Birmingham 20 mins quicker?”, “Why should Leeds get a high speed rail when the local busses don’t work”, “where even is Newcastle??”)
The fact is that the all of the UKs infrastructure and institutions are old, crumbling and not fit for purpose in our modern era. We don’t just need one or two high speed rail links, we need a whole network overhaul. If Labour can start that process by building HS2 and get all the immediate and linked benefits for the UK, im all for it.
Selling off a long thin strip of land will recover barely nothing and make the Tory election case even more untenable than it used to be now. Better to keep the land in case the rail project can be revived. New rail in the North may be a good idea still. Selling off the land was such a destructive decision at this point
Why would they sell the land? If the HS2 resumes in 10 year then what’s the plan, buy the land back again?
Simple solution
They should instead focus on a high speed rail that connects northern England with central Scotland and then build that bridge between Scotland and Ireland
Not every large scale infrastructure project has to be for the benefit London
Why is this always spoken about like it’s impossible to buy the land back? Even if it is sold the government can always buy it back with compulsory purchase orders.
23 comments
I’d bet on them not doing it because costs were spiralling, in fact I wonder if Tory is leaving this as a poison pill to point out labour never did it, or why aren’t they doing it.
They should. The potential that the original project had to improve rail travel up and down the spine of the country was large and the Tory incompetence needs to be pointed out constantly with where HS2 is right now.
I’m on my KNEES for HS2
If Labour can’t get HS2 back on track (*ba-dum-tss*) this country may as well just sink into the sea.
Im confused. Did we want HS2 or not?
Back when it was a thing most media references were highly negative. Now it’s framed as if we’ve been denied our birthright. Forget the political ping pong, can we first establish if it should be done or not?
If it should be done then we should make it happen, but not just do it to embarrass the Tories (even more).
They’ll sell the land at a massive loss very quickly now.
Having gone so far it should be rejuvenated but maybe not as designed. It got as much criticism for the cities and conurbations it didn’t serve as the project itself. IMO it should serve more places which will not be a problem because we do not need a railway that goes at 225 mph in this small country. If there were a Scottish leg then there might be some justification.
While we are considering the cost of the thing has anyone seen the work compounds? They look like towns that are going to be there for centuries, with proper roads, street lighting and bridges over minor roads when a mini roundabout or traffic lights would do. I’m not advocating Victorian conditions but these are ridiculous.
If it does get built do as Andy Burnham says and start in the north, which would count for plenty of brownie points.
I can honestly see the HS2 debacle being the Tories’ equivalent of the “there is no money” note that someone left in the treasury after the 2010 election.
Honestly, by the time the tories leave power I imagine it will be a collosal uphill battle to get HS2 going again. I imagine moat supply chain partners are at wits end with the government constantly changing scope. If labour want this to be successful, they need to agree to scope within the first 6 months of being in and not fucking change it over trivial shit like ‘Giles say it will ruin his country house views’.
The Tories have scuttled that ship. They will ensure at least some of the land if sold off and the money destined for HS2 is squandered elsewhere. They are now operating in the expectation of losing the election so will fuck up what they can before they hand over.
So they can’t sell the land.
I do find it funny that the Tories can’t even salt the earth properly.
They’re still actively working on it north of Bham through Lichfield etc, and all the roadworks on major roads are still there … Wish they’d make their minds up – carry on or pack up and let motorists have their roads back.
Fair few huge railway bridges created around the mids as well – looks like they’ll lead to / from nowhere!
Except the Tories have already promised the money for it elsewhere.
We’ll only know when it comes to serious election time. Any pledge on this at the minute will be used to attack Labour.
“Labour promises to bring back HS2” will turn into “Labour want to waste BILLIONS OF YOUR MONEY”
Too many morons not looking past the high speed element and not understanding the need for it on an infrastructure level. Not understanding how HS2 will greatly improve the network and allow more commuter trains on lines that are already built.
​
‘just build better local services’ – and connect them to what?
do people think that NIMBY’s are only not in favour of HS2 and will be all for other ones?
they could but due to how bad the Tories have done over the last 13yrs…the money isn’t there, other things will need to be prioritized first, maybe that could look at if they get a 2nd term but off the bat, no chance…the best I could see them doing is looking at all the money they get from doing HS2 and using that to improve railway in the North
Ah so they have money for this possibility, but not for NHS and junior doctors?
Labour, could and should build HS2 to its original spec, but I don’t think they will.
It’s probably dead now.
Labour’s problem right now is they are too worried about having negative headlines from mainstream media.
Them going ahead with HS2, the media will call them “reckless” with the public purse, so that will probably be seen as a a reason not to do it.
Restarting a project will cost an absolute fortune. All the contracts will need to be redone – with up to date costs including inflation. Staff with knowledge will have moved on – so there will be a learning process trying to get back to where they were.
Not saying it should be done – but it is going to be very, very expensive- much more so than previous estimates thanks to the Tories.
Stop calling it “HS2” and just call it “upgrading our ancient train infrastructure”.
Much like the rest of the issues in the UK people are arguing about who gets what. (“ooh wants the point of getting to Birmingham 20 mins quicker?”, “Why should Leeds get a high speed rail when the local busses don’t work”, “where even is Newcastle??”)
The fact is that the all of the UKs infrastructure and institutions are old, crumbling and not fit for purpose in our modern era. We don’t just need one or two high speed rail links, we need a whole network overhaul. If Labour can start that process by building HS2 and get all the immediate and linked benefits for the UK, im all for it.
Selling off a long thin strip of land will recover barely nothing and make the Tory election case even more untenable than it used to be now. Better to keep the land in case the rail project can be revived. New rail in the North may be a good idea still. Selling off the land was such a destructive decision at this point
Why would they sell the land? If the HS2 resumes in 10 year then what’s the plan, buy the land back again?
Simple solution
They should instead focus on a high speed rail that connects northern England with central Scotland and then build that bridge between Scotland and Ireland
Not every large scale infrastructure project has to be for the benefit London
Why is this always spoken about like it’s impossible to buy the land back? Even if it is sold the government can always buy it back with compulsory purchase orders.