Terminal 5 was an absolute masterclass in how to deliver a megaproject.
HS2 is, unfortunately, just another magnitude of complexity. Some of it avoidable, some of it was going to be a pain no matter how much was planned.
It also doesn’t help that HS2 got massively underestimated to get political approval and shovels in the ground. (The flipside being, if it had gone with realistic estimates, it could well have been stuck in committee for until 2050)
Terminal 5 was an absolute masterclass in how to deliver a megaproject.
HS2 is, unfortunately, just another magnitude of complexity. Some of it avoidable, some of it was going to be a pain no matter how much was planned.
It also doesn’t help that HS2 got massively underestimated to get political approval and shovels in the ground. (The flipside being, if it had gone with realistic estimates, it could well have been stuck in committee for until 2050)
They should have started in Leeds. Not start in London and give themselves a convenient way out.
The most complex and time-consuming engineering is required in London. That’s why it had to start there.
So now that the project is abandoned, they’ve spent the most money and caused the biggest disruption for the smallest benefit.
If they started at the other end, the stated goal of the project, they wouldn’t have the get out clause they have by starting in London.
It’s not been abandoned.
If there is ever a high speed train that runs from London to Leeds I’ll buy you a first class ticket.