Do we really need H2O?

[BenWickes]

A question put to me this morning by the wife.

I thought I'd play along, knowing full well what she meant.

'Yes we definitely do' I replied.

'Why? It'll be bad for the environment'. She said.

'It certainly will be bad for the environment if we don't have it' says I.

'How can you say that?' Says she getting angrier and angrier with my dismissive attitude.

'Life depends on it, we'd all die if we didn't have H2O' I replied.

This conversation went on for a while and the more argumentative she was getting before the penny dropped and she shouted out an expletive and said 'Ohhhh I meant HS2'

[Boss Hogg]

No.

[joey13]

Helps when making a cup of tea etc, etc .

[Gordaleman]

Definitely "No." It's just Cameron's vanity project, now rehashed as Johnson's. Just look at the cost, now heading for £200 Billion, and all to save about 45 minutes on a train journey. Ridiculous when you think of other more worthy projects that the money could be spent on. e.g. we could build the forty new hospitals that Boris keeps lying about.

I wouldn't care so much but it's only the super rich that will be able to afford to travel on it. It's the rail equivelent of Concorde, and like Concorde, it's guaranteed to be beset by problems.

[DCWat]

If you open shaken fizzy bottle, does H20 become HS2?

[Bangers&Mash]

It always baffles me that the biggest selling point is the saving time from the north to London, surely it would be more appealing to most if it was explained as getting the mainline trains off the local tracks and freeing up space for cargo and local stoppers?

[arise_sir_charge]

Well, water is the molecule of life so I’d suggest we do need it yes.

[jojomk1]

Will be yet another government package that will go way overspent, the main purpose of which is to cut travelling time between London and the northern "powerhouses"
Does cutting some 30 mins off an existing journey time justify such a financial spend

[Gordaleman]

It always baffles me that the biggest selling point is the saving time from the north to London, surely it would be more appealing to most if it was explained as getting the mainline trains off the local tracks and freeing up space for cargo and local stoppers?

But it won't do that either, as the ordinary working classes won't be able to afford to travel on it, and therefore the old tracks will still be needed for passenger traffic. Only the elites will benefit from HS2 and no doubt Network Rail, or whoever is in charge of rail infrastructure by the time it is built, will spend most of their money on the HS2 tracks to the detriment of every other line. So things will get worse, for everyone but the rich, as usual under the Tories.

[mdd2]

You have to be careful with these matters.
Here lies Jimmy Brown
Whose face we shall see no more
For what he thought was H20
Was H2S04.

[mdd2]

But it won't do that either, as the ordinary working classes won't be able to afford to travel on it, and therefore the old tracks will still be needed for passenger traffic. Only the elites will benefit from HS2 and no doubt Network Rail, or whoever is in charge of rail infrastructure by the time it is built, will spend most of their money on the HS2 tracks to the detriment of every other line. So things will get worse, for everyone but the rich, as usual under the Tories.

Both thee, me and a hell of a lot more will be dead by the time it comes North to us-so worry not.

[Reckoner]

Hate draughts. Hate backgammon. HS2.

[MRG]

Getting to London quicker is about 5% of what it is about. The benefits are much more aimed toward more localised rail infrastructure. Taking the cross country trains off local tracks onto the new lines completely transforms local train networks

[clitheroeclaret3]

When it was first announced about HS2 thought ok sounds reasonable idea although now turning mega expensive.

Since then have come to thinking this project is exactly what should be done for the so called northern powerhouse linking Liverpool (and port) Manchester Leeds/Bradford through to Hull & port.

Of course this will never happen as its not London based

[BenWickes]

You have to be careful with these matters.
Here lies Jimmy Brown
Whose face we shall see no more
For what he thought was H20
Was H2S04.

[Firthy]

Bit of a wet thread this one

[chekhov]

Helps when making a cup of tea etc, etc .

I’m with you Joey13. I like tea as well, and you can’t make a good cuppa without H2O.

[aggi]

It's weird hearing these stories about construction officially starting today. It's been going on for ages with loads of buildings already knocked down, roads closed and the like.

[Spijed]

It's weird hearing these stories about construction officially starting today. It's been going on for ages with loads of buildings already knocked down, roads closed and the like.

Probably to keep the 'Level up' narrative relevant after the recent poor headlines.

[Pimlico_Claret]

Who'll be heading to London to work in 20 years, it's a ghost city already.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Definitely "No." It's just Cameron's vanity project, now rehashed as Johnson's. Just look at the cost, now heading for £200 Billion, and all to save about 45 minutes on a train journey. Ridiculous when you think of other more worthy projects that the money could be spent on. e.g. we could build the forty new hospitals that Boris keeps lying about.

I wouldn't care so much but it's only the super rich that will be able to afford to travel on it. It's the rail equivelent of Concorde, and like Concorde, it's guaranteed to be beset by problems.

I think that you will find that it was a project put forward by a Labour government in 2009.

[Sozturf7]

YES.

[The Enclosure]

Absolutely not.!

[Steve1956]

Bit of a wet thread this one

Here you go Firthy

FB_IMG_1599224119095.jpg (15.61 KiB) Viewed 4020 times

[Sausage]

I'm all for HS2 (and H2O, for that matter) purely because I think it's worth spending eleventy hundred billion pounds to p!ss off the tweed-wearing elite who are complaining that they will hear and see the trains from 1000m away in their country piles in the Chilterns.

[Gordaleman]

I think that you will find that it was a project put forward by a Labour government in 2009.

Yes, but theirs was only a consultation on the feasability of such a line. Had Labour seen the costs, I doubt it would ever have happened. There was never any decision to go ahead until Cameron wanted a bit of publicity. And Labours proposals were hugely changed by that Tory government.

[Firthy]

Here you go Firthy
FB_IMG_1599224119095.jpg

Is that SD looking for divining inspiration

[Steve1956]

Is that SD looking for divining inspiration

Garlick i think

[Pstotto]

Live in Preston, pay £20,000 season ticket and get to London in 1h 50 mins. instead of 2h.10 mins.

Kafka's idea of a satisfying life, and don't forget to read The Trial and To The Castle every day for the next 20 year's travel.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Yes, but theirs was only a consultation on the feasability of such a line. Had Labour seen the costs, I doubt it would ever have happened. There was never any decision to go ahead until Cameron wanted a bit of publicity. And Labours proposals were hugely changed by that Tory government.

At the end of the day, there is no doubt that quite a lot has happened through the back door of all concerned and that is why the project is still going ahead. Where politicians are concerned the question always is "What is in it for me?" ----doesn't matter which party, they are all open to offers.
Labour saying that they would stop it if it got too expensive, Tory backbenchers not wanting it to happen because of cost and yet ...................
I wonder why? Answers on a £50 note please.

[Gordaleman]

At the end of the day, there is no doubt that quite a lot has happened through the back door of all concerned and that is why the project is still going ahead. Where politicians are concerned the question always is "What is in it for me?" ----doesn't matter which party, they are all open to offers.
Labour saying that they would stop it if it got too expensive, Tory backbenchers not wanting it to happen because of cost and yet ...................
I wonder why? Answers on a £50 note please.

As usual, there will be backhanders here there and everywhere for certain influential polititians. Fine, if that's the sort of country we are (And we are.) then at least get the backhanders for something worthwhile. Boris was crowing about 40 new hospitals before he was elected. Not heard much about them since, but they could have been built very quickly with £200 Billion. Instead we build an environmentally terrible railway, to save a few minutes travelling time, which only the rich will be able to take advantage of.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

As usual, there will be backhanders here there and everywhere for certain influential polititians. Fine, if that's the sort of country we are (And we are.) then at least get the backhanders for something worthwhile. Boris was crowing about 40 new hospitals before he was elected. Not heard much about them since, but they could have been built very quickly with £200 Billion. Instead we build an environmentally terrible railway, to save a few minutes travelling time, which only the rich will be able to take advantage of.

C'est la vie ---always has been and we are but mere pawns in their little game. Certainly not worth getting uptight about, it is mind over matter and certainly a case of they don't mind and we don't matter.

[LoveCurryPies]

I like the idea of Government investing in major infrastructure projects but for 100+ billion we could have built proper flood defences in every part of the country.

It would have transformed the lives of those people affected in Hebden Bridge, etc.

It affects us all. Somewhere in our home insurance is money to pay for floods elsewhere. Stop the floods and home insurance cover might have fallen.

[Aclaret]

If it means getting to London quicker for away days I'm against it. The longer on the train the better for drinking more cans.

[Gordaleman]

If it means getting to London quicker for away days I'm against it. The longer on the train the better for drinking more cans.

It won't, because you won't be able to afford the ticket prices. Unless you're one of the elite classes that is.

[Aclaret]

It won't, because you won't be able to afford the ticket prices. Unless you're one of the elite classes that is.

Hopefully there's a choice of trains, I'll take the cheaper & slower one thanks. All Burnley fans are elite.

[NewClaret]

Supported this when first announced. We have a Victorian rail network and it’s well overdue some upgrades.

Now it’s going to be a big white elephant. I used to travel once a week to London, my company picking up the ridiculous £350 bill plus a hotel. There’s no way that will happen in today’s virtual world. Will be surprised if I travel once a year.

They should spend the £100bn on super fast broadband and 5G infrastructure upgrades. Sadly it’s probably too late given all the land they’ve purchased & preliminary works.

[Sozturf7]

Not many on here understanding the NEED for a renewal of our once great but now totally outdated infrastructure. This should be just the start. It's got sod all to do with getting to London a bit quicker, as quite a few seem to think. Please don't tell me its going to cost a fortune, I understand that, but not as much as not addressing the problem.

[basil6345789]

No, bin it.

[Baldrick claret]

I live in the heart of Warwickshire, and am lucky to live at the end of a leafy lane, with countryside views. I grew up in this area Which boasts beautiful countryside. (I have followed the Clarets since the early 60’s.) From my front window about half a mile away, is woodland, apparently they are going to form a cutting through this woodland, I’m front of which in the spring of 2019 HS2 staff x at least 8 spent three weeks planting saplings, that all died due to lack of water. They also formed ‘Newting’ ponds, these turned into nothing but muddy puddles! The saplings have now been replaced, don’t know if these are growing or not. The carnage around certain areas within a few miles of here is horrendous, whole swathes of ancient woodland and wild flora destroyed and views transformed into wasteland, road closures, temporary traffic lights, protestors, some living in tree houses, arrests. This during the nesting and growing seasons. Yet virtually nothing gets reported on the news apart from a little on local news. I know of no one that wants this, Seems it is only local politicians who do! We have lost a garden centre half a mile down the road along with the owners dwelling, along with a farm house where an ageing farmer has been subject of compulsory purchase, last I heard he hadn’t even been paid! We all know that money wasted on this could have been put into improving rail services in the North where it is most needed, ons hospitals, and this government or Tw**ts can’t see it! Anyway got that off my chest! Up the Clarets good luck this season, always makes my weekend when we’ve picked up points!

[Rowls]

I live in the heart of Warwickshire, and am lucky to live at the end of a leafy lane, with countryside views. I grew up in this area Which boasts beautiful countryside. (I have followed the Clarets since the early 60’s.) From my front window about half a mile away, is woodland, apparently they are going to form a cutting through this woodland, I’m front of which in the spring of 2019 HS2 staff x at least 8 spent three weeks planting saplings, that all died due to lack of water. They also formed ‘Newting’ ponds, these turned into nothing but muddy puddles! The saplings have now been replaced, don’t know if these are growing or not. The carnage around certain areas within a few miles of here is horrendous, whole swathes of ancient woodland and wild flora destroyed and views transformed into wasteland, road closures, temporary traffic lights, protestors, some living in tree houses, arrests. This during the nesting and growing seasons. Yet virtually nothing gets reported on the news apart from a little on local news. I know of no one that wants this, Seems it is only local politicians who do! We have lost a garden centre half a mile down the road along with the owners dwelling, along with a farm house where an ageing farmer has been subject of compulsory purchase, last I heard he hadn’t even been paid! We all know that money wasted on this could have been put into improving rail services in the North where it is most needed, ons hospitals, and this government or Tw**ts can’t see it! Anyway got that off my chest! Up the Clarets good luck this season, always makes my weekend when we’ve picked up points!

Where abouts in Warwickshire do you live Baldrick?

I love the countryside in the region and I miss it all the time. A friend posted a picture the other days and it had all the lush greens and the first tints of the oranges and browns that will follow as we head into Autumn.

I live in a fantastic part of the world but I miss Warwickshire.

[claptrappers_union]

I think in this post Covid world where people are no trusted to work from home, connect via video call and work online... Is it worth it

Would we like a high speed train connecting North snd South? Yes please

At a cost of £200bn? Err no

I’d rather see that spend on upgrading the current rail networks.

[Local cricketer]

Yes or how else will the Egyptians get to the turf when they buy the club

[Baldrick claret]

Hello Rowls, I live in Ladbroke, near Southam. Roughly equidistant to Stratford upon Avon, Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby, Warwick and Coventry in West Mids. Where were you from in Warwicks?

[TheFamilyCat]

Juts another £800m to find. Seems a lot to shift a bit of asbestos.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54538639

[Quickenthetempo]

Juts another £800m to find. Seems a lot to shift a bit of asbestos.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54538639

Look at the delays to the disabled stands at the turf when they found buried asbestos from the Longside roof.

Imagine that over miles and miles.

[kentonclaret]

Rishi Sunak stated at the time of presenting the Budget that all infrastructure projects had been properly costed

[Boss Hogg]

The plug needs pulling in this. We need it about as much as we needed The Millenium Dome. We didn’t need it before this pandemic and now need it even less. More worthwhile areas to be funded such as the NHS.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Wives are wonderful. Mrs Huw once started a conversation talking about “coastal corrosion”. You’ve got to love them.

Off topic. HS2 and Boris’ bridge to NI are both vanity projects that will waste billions.
It would be cheaper to put on free ferries than build a bridge to NI.

[BigF]

I would agree that we don't need it and it will be very expensive. However, it could supply jobs for many people at a time when lots are losing theirs. And whilst it will be the government,(us), paying for HS2 and the wages for these people, we's still be paying if unfortunately these people had to claim unemployment benefits etc.
Just personal thoughts and I'm no expert.