The construction of HS2, a high speed rail link between London and the north of England, has been approved. The announcement was made by Boris Johnson yesterday. Phase 1, due for completion in 2028 at the earliest, will be between London and Birmingham; Phase 2, due in 2035 at the earliest, will be two separate lines onwards to Manchester and Leeds.
The trains will travel at up to 250 mph. They will otherwise be conventional, and will take electrical power from overhead catenary. The line will have connections with existing ones, enabling some trains to continue at lower speeds to further destinations, such as Liverpool and Scotland.
The routes will be broadly parallel with existing ones, which are generally running at full capacity. Rail passenger travel in the UK has greatly increased in recent years and this, rather than the reduction in journey times, is the main driver for the project.
Note : It is called HS2 because it is the second high speed line in the UK, HS1 being the link from St. Pancras International railway station in central London to the Channel Tunnel.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 13 2020, @01:07PM (2 children)
To put this in perspective, a return flight to New York from Manchester is around the same.
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Thursday February 13 2020, @06:55PM (1 child)
I just checked and United are charging £1400 return Manchester to New York, and if you want to change that ticket it will cost £150. Fare basis MKWRCB0
I can get a London-NY flight on Norweigan for £1014 return with a £110 change.
BA are selling the next Manchester-NY flight for £2,281.64 in economy.
Compare apples to apples
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 13 2020, @11:00PM
Look at Aer Lingus - £410 - £414 or look here. [kayak.co.uk]