The newspapers all carry the news about it and it was the talk of Newsnight Scotland last night. What was it? A new high speed (£34bn) rail link between London and Scotland.
Why are we always so behind with technology in this country? We have the expertise and knowledge base. How often have I heard politicians proposing better rail links between London and Scotland? Truthfully I've lost count and of course nothing ever comes of it, except another very expensive review and lots of chat.
Tom Harris on Newsnicht thought it would go ahead but transport writer Christian Walmar thought it would never happen. As Gordon Brewer said in his introduction, 'If you think it's too good to be true, it possibly is." Tom also suggested Scotland could start building south to meet the English section at the border. After listening to Mr Walmar I strongly agree with him that if there is to be a link from London it will halt at Birmingham.
Should I be proved wrong, the earliest a two hours 16 minute journey would be introduced would be 2030. Too late for me. Far better a 'green' fuel for aircraft was discovered.
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Travelling fast out of London I can see the benefit, but really who wants to get there fast. It will never happen its purely politically posturing.
Why are we always so behind with technology in this country?
Mainly because successive governments have failed to support our inventors and industry, putting all our eggs in the financial services sector instead.
I agree with you on the 'green' fuel for aircraft, wherever did you get that idea? ;o) Surely some of the £34 billion would be better diverted to making Jetsons-style flying cars a reality...as long as they're computer controlled...!
Subrosa,
they always do this ritual.
Remember the British hypersonic aircarft that would get you to Sydney in 3 hours mooted circa 1985. There was more chance of a moose mooting!!!
Who's going to have money in 2030 to pay for a fare, all our money will be handed over to pay for the national debt and green ponzi schemes.
Heads up.
Dare I say it's a wee token gesture to labour's voters cynical. :)
That's why our engineers are emigrating to Canada, Australian etc fl and being welcomed with open arms.
Hey! I wrote this post at 6am when I got up! The green fuel issue is close to my heart because someone close to me is involved with the research.
Computer controlled cars? Another money-making scam. All computer controlled cars have done is make billions for the car mechanics industry. Trying to find a mechanic who actually understands cars is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Today's mechanic plugs the car into a computer then believes all the information which is spewed out. Many times it's wrong. I know to my cost - well that's untrue, because my garage has now had to refund my money.
I expect you're right SR - but that won't stop them spending an enormous amount of money on focus groups, lobbyists and research development quangos. After all, they have to keep us in our places and what better way than taxing us to the hilt and then spending it to no useful end.
Aye Incoming, surely nobody believes it anymore. Mind you, it gives a nice salary to those doing these 'reviews'.
I'll not be around in 2030 so it doesn't concern me. The way this, and perhaps the next, government are curtailing our freedoms, I doubt if anyone other than the elite will be able to travel anywhere.
As you say, they won't have the money either.
Forfar-loon, I want one of those!
You know GV, these days I sometimes thank my lucky stars I'm the age I am. Really can't see the future of this country improving because of our stunted politicians.
SR, this is no more than a ploy to take our minds off more pressing matters - Megrahi?, Afghanistan?, the state of the nation?, Gordon Brown?, Ed Balls? etc etc etc.
Lets face it, all politicians are bastards and cynical, 'spinning' bastards at that!
Good point SR although dare I say that we are behind coz of our self-serving, selfish government (and what GV said)
It's easier - and it will remain so - to travel from Glasgow to Tripoli than from Glasgow to London.
And there will never be anything compassionate about rail travel.
Of course it is WfW especially when Newsnicht gave over most of last night's programme to it.
CB when are we ever going to get the politicians 'of quality' that all politicians talk about?
As truthful as ever Jim. You omitted the bit about a chartered plane though. Doing to the Ryanair way can be more complicated.
I guess I'm even more unlikely to be around in 2030, though it's selfish of me to bother about that.
Where I agree with you is that these long-term projects never seem to come to fruition.
On the roads, it's jam today, jam tomorrow. Much of the congestion is caused by measures to reduce congestion.
You're wrong in hankering for the days when car mechanics could mend cars. You might as well try to find someone to mend a digital watch. Buy a Honda -- they don't go wrong.
Sorry if I sounded selfish Hamish, but the remark was made to emphasise the timescale mentioned for this. Mind you time does run faster when you're older and that is a selfish comment.
Honda? I could tell you a story about one of the first Honda Civid diesels off the production line. It would make your hair curl. The cost of making an 18 month old car roadworthy was £4,800 and then 2 years later when the garage said the suspension had gone I sold it.
Hey! I wrote this post at 6am when I got up!
Fair enough SR, your post just seemed to follow hot on the heels of my comment at SNP Tactical Voting - let's say great minds think alike!
On the computer controlled side, I just meant that if we're all flying cars about it will be total bedlam. After all, most people seem to struggle pretty badly driving in 2 dimensions never mind 3. Better to let the machines take over, just like air traffic control. What could possibly go wrong...?!
Forfar loon, if you think I took the content of the post from SNP Tactical Voting do say. :)
Thinking back to the days of being a very junior member of a gliding club I see exactly what you mean.
Just imagine trying to negotiate a spherical roundabout...gnnnhh...brain...hurts...!
PS was just being a wee bit mischievous with the green fuel dig, didn't mean any offence and hope none was taken :o)
Naw fl, none was taken. Mind you I messed up with the Benefit Busters post. Did that before I went to bed and thought I'd put a time on it for publication but it didn't work! Never mind, I can't be perfect with this technology all the time. :)
2030?
Why is it that most of Europe managed this quality of transport in the 1990s?
Better governments Tris.
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