An article directed at the HS2 nay-sayers

[unam3d]

I came across this article 'Why HS2 is a good thing, and how everyone who opposes high speed rail in the UK is missing something fundamental' and it seemed to cover some interesting points.

With regard to profitability, cutting out all ‘unprofitable’ services would mean only running peak time trains; but who would use railways if only peak time trains ran? When running rail network, you will always need to run some services at a loss. It’s the very nature of running a clock-face timetable with trains every 20 minutes – it means a comprehensive, seamless service is offered (thereby increasing passengers overall) – and it means rail users can travel when they like. It’s why a fully-privatised railway network would never work, and it’s why we use the franchise system we do today. Train operating companies must, in return for subsidy, adhere to strict guidelines about the service they run, and how they run it. In short – railways do not see a clear cut return on investment in a business sense. Nobody should expect this of HS2 – but it will have far-reaching broader and wider economic benefits, as I will try to explain in this piece.

What do people make of it?

[Silver Fox Phil]

Totally agree and could not have put it better myself! All manner of public transport and the shipment of frieght is the important issue, not making profit! That is the only way to ensure the country as a whole will benefit from investment to provide cheaper goods movements, greener than the polution caused by the road traffic, easier commuting for the public thus generating more jobs ect ect.
Bring it on.
All the best
Phil

[Axe]

What do I think?

Well I have no hesitation of dismissing and ignoring the document authored by Sam England which the OP referenced. Why? I know and understand that HS2 is a very emotive subject, but as a general rule I like many other people always ignore the opinions offered by anyone who resorts to throwing abuse and bad mouthing people who oppose their own point of view. Sadly Mr England finds it necessary to offer personal remarks in his very first paragraph.....

Opposers to HS2 just don't understand railways, and are failing to learn from history and look at the overbearing, long term economic benefits railways have given Britain over the past 100 years. 'Anyone who points at a railway and says it has no economic benefit is severely deluded and misguided'

Note my above remark is in no way indicative of my support or otherwise for the HS2 project.

Chris

[Resolution]

Little England" is holding the rest of the Nation to ransom! They are the modern day Luddites of our day. Those, that their like, once despised, so have they now become!.....

Ye Shall Not Pass, they cry!.........Let all those beyond north of here perish!


We'd Better build a ruddy wall around 'em then hadn't we?......

[Madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Axe

, but as a general rule I like many other people always ignore the opinions offered by anyone who resorts to throwing abuse and bad mouthing people who oppose their own point of view. Sadly Mr England finds it necessary

I go by a premise which I find quite enlightening even though I found it in a SciFi novel

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent

I usually refer the violence as both verbal and physical it fits my Pagan belief of harm no one

[Resolution]

Madcaravanner!.......You Old Pagan you!

Never formalised:.....but I share in your belief old son!

One more of US, One less of....Them!..

[Silver Fox Phil]

[QUOTE=Madcaravanner;67715]I go by a premise which I find quite enlightening even though I found it in a SciFi novel

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent


I like this quote Gray, very apt.
Cheers
Phil