why all the hate for hs2?

[GreatAuk]

I think the best example of government mismanagement on HS2 might be Euston. It's been redesigned about 3 times now, had construction start and stop, funding apparently confirmed and then not confirmed... all the while HS2 obviously needs a high capacity station at Euston but the government kept considering cutting it back to Old Oak Common... just need a clear decision that government will stick to.

The latest decision is to go with a 6 HS2 platform design, but this will clearly be a massive limitation on future service levels and the kind of short termism that national infrastructure projects should avoid. Still not actually clear how/whether the station itself will be funded either.

The engineering challenges aren't really that significant compared to the challenges of getting infrastructure built around the various environmental and planning obstacles requiring reams and reams of expensive paperwork that are in reality mostly worthless, and the challenges of a government that keeps introducing uncertainty and preventing long term investment in the sector.

 

[Ali195]

The entire problem is short term inism - programmes are not planned for multi years, as the government might change and the programme gets canelled.

Look at new nuclear. in 2008 a programme was being put forward to replacing 6 nuclear reactors with new nuclear ( https://assets.publishing.service.g.../uploads/attachment_data/file/228944/7296.pdf ). 2010 and a change of government, the whole lot was cancelled. Here we are 15 years later, nothing has been built and the old nuclear stations are beyond the end of their design lives.

Yep. The two Queen Elizabeth class super carriers would have been cancelled in 2010’s by Cameron if it were not for the fact either way the contractor would have been paid AND we’d have a partially built platform, scrapped for pennies on the pound.
Guess Tories weren’t up for that mess, especially a flagship with the Queens name on it.

It’s not like Europe is any better though, trust me, visiting Germany (well the eastern part) they have the same grumbles as us, just feels like they’re 10 years behind our decline, that’s all but it’s catching up fast.

We have building reform coming. The big challenge is engaging with the building firms in such a way it (basically) makes them build a lot of quality housing, plus all the joined up thinking for national program for teaching teens the trades (college courses, apprenticeships), immigration exceptions for bring in folks from EU to help build. A real plan to bring it all together.

Can only wait and see for now. Give Labour a pass this term, see what they’ve achieved.