High-speed rail link is given the green light

The commute to work can be a nightmare. A lot of people choose to live outside of the city for a variety of reasons such as wanting to live in a bigger house, the can’t afford to live in the city, or they just simply want to live out in the sticks.

Image Via Matt's

While the daily commute has been improved by technology, the Government are preparing to decrease the time it takes to get from A to B in  project dubbed High-Speed 2 (HS2).

The Government has given the green light for a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham. It has been suggested this journey would only take 49 minutes instead of the current 1hr and 24mins on the 225mph trains. The new track is set to be opened in 2026 and construction will take 10 years. A second phase in the project will connect HS2 to Leeds and Manchester in a Y-shape, and should be completedby 2032/33. The final rout for this phase will be decided by the end of 2014.

The Government says the whole project will cost £32bn, and will generate up to £47bn of economic benefits over 60 years in ticket sales, reduced congestion on roads, and the creation of hundreds of jobs. However, opponents such as The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) have questioned both estimations as they believe the project will cost more and gain less than forecasted.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said HS2 is “the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways.”

She went on to say:

“By following in the footsteps of the 19th Century railway pioneers, the government is signalling its commitment to providing 21st Century infrastructure and connections – laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable economic growth.”

But would shorter commutes really boost the economy? Many trains have wi-fi available so it’s possible that many people can work through the journey. As for meetings, technology has advanced as such that web conferencing can be used as an alternative. Is there such a demand for this service to argue the case and defend the projected revenue? Is this a wise use of money?

Do you think a high-speed rail link is a good idea? Tell us in the comments section.

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