High Speed 2 chiefs: Delays could jeopardise scheme (From Bucks Free Press)

• "@Malc London - do you permanently live in a world of unreality where little things called FACTS are routinely ignored on a whim, if they don't suit your reasoning process - I'm only asking because your comments seem to reveal this underlying character flaw? Firstly you still haven't retracted your false statement about the budgeted cost of HS2 phase 1, secondly why do you persist in banging on about the construction costs of Scotland's Holyrood Parliament building - is it relevant to HS2; absolutely NOT but what is relevant is an examination of two quite recent major rail infrastructure projects; namely HS1 and the WCML upgrade, HS1 (a new line built on a new route in much the same way as HS2 will be, came in on time, yes it was started late due to political indecision and more or less on budget - a recent National Audit Office report stated that it cost £6.1bn against an original forecast of £5.8bn. The WCML upgrade (a project very similar to that proposed by anti-HS2 campaigners as an alternative means of increasing capacity) original budget £1.9bn, eventual cost, more than £9bn and years late, causing untold misery and disruption for the rail travelling public (I know - I was one of them!). What does this tale tell us - the blindingly obvious conclusion that if you want to dramatically increase quality, speed, reliability and capacity in our rail network where it is needed and do it the least disruptive manner, you follow the new build route and not the tried and failed upgrade method - end of lesson! Finally, coming back to HS2 budgets and cost of rolling stock - I realise you're not going to accept this explanation because it is complex but if you follow this URL link, a real expert on rail systems (William Barter) rather than the self-appointed armchair versions populating the anti-HS2 campaign provides an in-depth account -
  http://yestohs2.blog
  spot.co.uk/2012/02/h
  s2-rolling-stock-cos
  ts-overlooked-not.ht
  ml"
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