Why Britain’s government would be wrong to cut HS2
The costs of upgrading the railways have risen, but it is still worth doing
THE RELATIONSHIP between British politicians and the railways has long been difficult. In 1830 the opening ceremony of the world’s first intercity line, between Manchester and Liverpool, was marred by a former cabinet minister being killed by a locomotive. Rumours this week that the government might cancel part of High Speed 2 (HS2), a long-planned upgrade to the rail network, has left less blood on the tracks. But it has provoked a furious reaction from business leaders and politicians, including Conservatives.
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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Up the junction”
Britain September 30th 2023
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- Why shoplifting is rising in Britain
- Britons take laughing gas merrily. Tories take it more seriously
- Why Britain’s government would be wrong to cut HS2
- Could Britain’s Liberal Democrats matter again?
- Is lab-grown meat kosher?
- Blind optimism is the only bet for Britain’s Tories
From the September 30th 2023 edition
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