A report published today by Transport Focus in conjunction with HS2 Ltd has come up with several suggestions for the final operation of HS2, many of which show a complete detachment from reality. Members of the 40 strong focus group were chosen specifically because they had no knowledge of HS2 and were told to ‘disregard practicality’ when coming up with their ideas, which may well explain many of the outlandish and extravagant suggestions.
One of the most reported suggestions from this report is to have gyms on HS2 trains, despite the fact it would seem there would be an inherent danger in using any piece of gym equipment on a train moving in excess of 200mph. Other suggestions which would surely eat into the number of seats on a train which we are told is needed for capacity reasons include; food which you can see being cooked, a waiter service, a GP surgery and pharmacy, shops, offices for business travellers, and family compartments.
The focus group came up with the concept that windows on trains are vital. No really, this is serious. How much did HS2 Ltd pay for this crap?
In what is surely a forlorn hope, the focus group suggested that HS2 should be made affordable, with one suggestion being to have standing carriages, which again seems rather impractical at 225mph. Supposedly innovative suggestions were to have porters for baggage, different classes of carriages, and seats which could face the way the train is going, an ‘innovation’ which was standard on trams 100 years ago. Potentially the least surprising demand from passengers in this ilk was that ‘windows are vital’, so it is recommended that these should be a standard feature on HS2 trains.
To highlight the fact the members of the focus group didn’t know anything about HS2, one of the suggestions was that passengers should not have to walk more than a minute to connecting trains, despite that the Leeds, East Midlands and both Birmingham stations will be new builds requiring passengers to get to another station to continue their journeys.
Stop HS2 Campaign Manager Joe Rukin responded:
“The suggestions being made, that HS2 trains could have gyms, surgeries, shops and glass panelled kitchens with waiter service are absolutely bonkers. When you read that the report concludes that ‘windows are vital’ for HS2 trains, you have to ask how much money did this rubbish cost? As we have always suspected, it seems HS2 is being designed to be like 1st class on the Titanic, whilst everyone who can’t afford to use it is crammed into the steerage compartments of the rest of the rail network. Now it has been confirmed that the Government are looking at cutting back current rail upgrade projects due to rising costs, it is inconceivable that they continue to chuck money at this vanity project which will only benefit the richest in society.”
Penny Gaines, chair of Stop HS2 said
“What’s clear from the report and the associated documents was that many of the changes people want to see from a brand new railway have already been designed out of HS2. These include looking at the journey as a whole, but HS2 Ltd only ever seem to consider the HS2 part of any journey. With the HS1 link and the spur to Heathrow both dropped, many obvious connections will be difficult and time-consuming.”
Penny Gaines added
“Today, 23rd June is National Woman in Engineering Day. I am not overly surprised to see HS2 Ltd trying to get in on the act and promote HS2 through events organised as part of National Woman in Engineering Day. But what they do is far more important than what they say. HS2 Ltd pay their current male CEO a salary six times as much as the woman CEO he replaced. That gives a very clear message about their values.”
And how much did this pile of garbage cost the taxpayer?
In fairness think the bit about Doctors was just a typo. What they really meant was GPS – to guide you to your seat – rather than GPs! Even so I can’t remember the last time I was left wandering around an Intercity Train trying to find my reserved seat. I have usually found that the Platform signs – “Carriage A stops here” to be more than adequate. Perhaps I’m missing the Brave New World that an App on my phone could deliver.
You’ll have to excuse me – I need to go to my garden shed and can’t find my mobile to tell me where it is!
Actually, they wanted both GPS and GPs, as well as pharmacies: the details are in the “On board” document, which specifies a desire for “Cash machine, gym, GP, pharmacy facilities on-board.”
How about office facilities, or are they provided by “customers” already?
Maybe, HS2 Ltd. are trying to demonstrate a sense of humour, after all the whole project is risiblle, that Mr. Cameron, means it’s a mixture of ludicrousness and laughability.
Meanwhile, the recent Select Committee visits
have been met by many residents who are so upset & angry at what may befall them, but does the “Govt” give a hoot?.
HS2 would have been right at the top of Beeching’s list for scrapping.
Gone off the rails long ago and about to drag the UK down the embankment from this gross spending spree cheered on by a out of control PM and a Chancellor looking for his next robe in Buckinghamshire. More like we will be road less and looking for a new Government in the next 2 years as votes of no confidence arrive. PM and the flock suffering from denial of the extent of issues facing over half the people in the UK from lack of money, mounting debts and terrible daily transport well off the HS2 corridor. The Titanic did not have the radar and the Government do not have the wisdom to address the every day matters first.
I do not know what all the fuss is about….
This is most likely HS2 Ltd’s way of allowing pro-HS2 peeps to add the claim that HS2 will provide a cure for cancer to the ever growing list of things that it will solve!!!
Like most of the output from HS2 Ltd, ludicrous!