One of the big issues with HS2 is the dog’s breakfast of the current plans for Euston. There is going to be, according to the proposals, 17 years of rebuilding associated with HS2, whilst Phase 1 and 2 are built. Only after that the existing conventional station might get its turn.
Meanwhile the new editor of the London Evening Standard is George Osborne, MP, former chancellor and driving force behind HS2.
Osborne has claimed the Standard’s
“only interest will be to give a voice to all Londoners. We will be fearless as a paper fighting for their interests. We will judge what the government, London’s politicians and the political parties do against this simple test: is it good for our readers and good for London? If it is, we’ll support them. If it isn’t, we’ll be quick to say so.”
With HS2 on track to cause so much disruption to Londoners and commuters who use Euston, will the Standard now really give any problems there the coverage that would be expected of it?
How about asking for an undertaking by the Dept of Transport that all the steel for the tracks and gantries are supplied from British steel mills?
Fakery is the new exposed risk. Try working out popularism. Well the facts do get in the way for HS2. It is clearer what it does not do or deliver.
The Editor is being questioned as the judgement was questioned by PM May of what is a Chancellor. Recent Chancellors are not scoring well. HS2 is not the answer for Britain and hopefully Osborne will be the spinner to realise what he and others misjudged.