Quixoticgeek11h ago

Controversial UK public transport opinions.

- HS2 needs to built. All the way to Scotland.
- HS3-13 also need to be built.
- We need another rail connection to the continent.

"But how do we afford to do that ?" I can already hear some of you racing to type.

To which I ask one very simple question.

"How can we afford not to?"

#Trains #GBRailways

Jernej Simončič �9h ago
Show threadCharlie Stross

@quixoticgeek Also, we need to dig up and replace the entire sewer system with segregated black water and rainwater systems. That means digging up every road in the UK, est. £700Bn.

The UK has built up a Mount Everest of technical debt since our infrastructure went in circa 1830-1880, and it's all coming due this century.

10:48amWeb
Show threadQuixoticgeek11h ago
@cstross ye gods need Todo that too. I wonder if there is any gas piping we could repurpose once we divest ourselves of the craziness of burning fossil fuels.
Show threadCharlie Stross11h ago
@quixoticgeek Not to worry, before they admit burning shit in cities is a bad idea they'll try and reuse the gas pipes for domestic green hydrogen (bitter laughter).
Show threadThe Penguin of Evil11h ago
@quixoticgeek @cstross people have used old gas pipelines as conduit in the past. There are even systems for deploying fibre down live gas pipes
Show threadNicovel0 🍉11h ago
@etchedpixels @quixoticgeek @cstross much more sensible than using them for H2 as some are pushing.
Show threadThe Penguin of Evil11h ago
@cstross @quixoticgeek If you combined and organized water renewal, gas removal, and lots of leasable empty conduit, electrification renewal in many areas in one go it stops sounding quite so expensive. It can also be done starting with areas with the highest RoI as a rolling program. Large scale rainwater retention is also going to be ever more important
Show threadMatthew Newell10h ago

@etchedpixels @cstross @quixoticgeek

https://youtu.be/THoCE_9tyfk?si=_gjbXn-OrvSHx1Uf

Reminds me of this lovely and very sensible old advert.

Heineken Roadworks UK Advert

YouTube
Show threadGraydon10h ago
@etchedpixels @cstross @quixoticgeek Gotta make sure that's highest ROI in 2100; all the land that's going to flood should be having infrastructure removed, no matter what's on it now.
Show threadBashStKid6h ago
@cstross @quixoticgeek I don’t know the answer to this, but what would be the cost/options for a dry compost type of domestic toilet that would severely reduce black water entering the sewers?
I can’t imagine a new night soil directorate being cheap …
Show threadCharlie Stross6h ago
@BashStKid @quixoticgeek Retrofitting EVERY dwelling and workplace in the UK might be a bit on the pricey side!