HS2 sweepstake and questions

[UGLYGUTS]

the figure being put about for HS2 is about a round 30 billion and its going to take a while to arrive.

Given the speculative and often wildly wrong nature of government estimates of costs, thought a sweepstake on the eventual cost could be fun if a long winded wager.

A large number of us will be in Valhalla by the time its completed but our offspring can collect the winnings, my guess for posterity is 30 will turn into 46 billion (im an optimist), tenner on it.

as to the question, if not HS2, and you were charged with spending 30 billion on infrastructure, where would you think it be better invested.

Other countries are well ahead on high speed and my gut tells me the Japanese will be teleporting from A to B and viewing High speed rail as old fashioned by the time HS2 is completed.

My main problem, im not a nimby, live right near Manchester Airport, we are proposed getting a stop, and a world freight hub is being built up the road, is not the prospect of high speed, or the money but the length of time its proposed to take.

With the trippling in size of Manchester Metro, the building of Airport city and the World freight hub, HS2 actually excites me.

but so long? how fast do other countries build these types of things? and how much did they spend?

[Selous]

90 Billion.

What do I win if I'm right? These things can cost 3 times as much as the speculated cost. Will it ever pay for itself? That doesn't mean it shouldn't be built, sometimes glory is priceless, but if everyone else is having one...

[UGLYGUTS]

Originally Posted by Selous

90 Billion.

What do I win if I'm right? These things can cost 3 times as much as the speculated cost. Will it ever pay for itself? That doesn't mean it shouldn't be built, sometimes glory is priceless, but if everyone else is having one...

Just read that China built a 1318 km high speed rail line in 39 months!

Im not against it either, infact I am all for it, its the time frame which seems to make us look like slugs, and how much of that 30 billion will go on the actual project rather than consultancy fees and other gubbins?

I reckon they should aim for ten years, and be prepared to go over.

You win money a high speed train ride on me!
The stop will be down the road and there is a good curry house not too far.
Plus smug has its own unique value.

[Selous]

As a lad in my early 20s I am not optimistic I'll live to see it's completion, how many committees does it have to pass through? I foresee 4 years of focus groups to decide the livery!

Given conventional train ticket prices I doubt we'll be able to afford tickets on the HS2 unless sleep on pillows of silk and beds made of diamond.

[UGLYGUTS]

Originally Posted by Selous

As a lad in my early 20s I am not optimistic I'll live to see it's completion, how many committees does it have to pass through? I foresee 4 years of focus groups to decide the livery!

Given conventional train ticket prices I doubt we'll be able to afford tickets on the HS2 unless sleep on pillows of silk and beds made of diamond.

Thats what puts me off, imagine what 30 billion on rolling stock, ticket subsidy and other measures could do for getting this country moving.

If I had faith that they will build it, with a victorian sense of getting the job done, im a get it done boy but as you say, so much red tape, so many hurdles before a shovel has even been picked up.