AmbroseSep 26, 2023

@davidallengreen It is absolutely minimising impact on existing ecosystems at the cost of concrete use and expense.

There doesn't seem to be any real evidence of poor project management from HS2 Ltd, as opposed to the continual descoping and pausing from the political side.

Show threadSimon Brooke
@ambrosen @davidallengreen I'm increasingly of the view that the right solution is to convert the M1, and the M6/M74, to high speed rail. Most of the grades and radiuses are already suitable, and we can no longer really afford the energy cost of road freight.
Sep 26, 2023 at 9:07amWeb
Show threadAmbroseSep 26, 2023

@simon_brooke In terms of the earthmoving and bridges, the current line is pretty much committed to the current route to Birmingham. (Not to mention the tunnels).

Here's footage of the works around Birmingham, including where it splits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBZm7HVngig

It's hard to know yet how much would be possible by upgrading the 2 cross-border mainlines to handle a traffic increase, and how easy it would be to realign them for more speed, versus making a third railway.

HS2 Birmingham construction progress update - Jul 2023

YouTube
Show threadSimon BrookeSep 26, 2023
@ambrosen Aye, I'm not arguing the existing plan for HS2 should not be completed. But we're going to need far more than that. We need a major strategic move from road freight to rail.