+ COMMENT: High Speed or Fast Speed - That is the question!

The late Vernon Murphy was train guru to  Business Travel News  as well as an airport specialist.  His career included Chairman of Heathrow Express.  He achieved senior management positions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports and became Managing Director of Scottish Airports.  For a long spell he was Chairman of the Airport Operators Association.

With the recent appointment of Sir Jonathan Thompson as the latest Chair of HS2 Ltd Travel News Update revisits Vernon’s repost.  It is as true today as it was when first composed.  

Work is well under way, contracts for rolling stock have been signed and let us hope the finished trains, leased and costing, do not finish up in sidings waiting for the tracks to be completed.

We do need a fast train from London to the North, but something just a little less fast will give a huge cost saving in these troubled economic times.  Can we slow down just a little, save a lot of money, and still march forward!

Nothing has changed in 10 years.  Do see www.btnews.co.uk/article/6683

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

Fred Fine, Marylebone, London

The previous writer has a good point about Euston Square. The new Moorgate – Liverpool Street connection due to the Elizabeth Line construction is a success, likewise the rebuilt Bank, but let’s get on with the work now.

Jacob Money, Hampstead, London

What’s going to happen at Old Oak Common. Are all the trains stopping or are most destined direct into Euston. At least that station is at last supposed to be brought up to date with proper under the street links to Euston Square and the Metropolitan Line. Only 150 years late.

Sandra Hope, Hampstead, London

Will there be a premium using HS2? With the fares rising yet again the truth is that nobody will the using the railways by the time the train arrives, just adding to the congestion on our crumbling roads.