HS2 was doomed from the start, the costings were only on paper and no one actually went out and looked at the reality on the ground. It should have started up North connecting Newcastle, Leeds , Manchester and Liverpool. Once again Southern folk making decisions that affect Northern folk ballsed it all up. No one up North wants to get to London quicker but would like to be mobile in their own area, the freight argument is for the bit between London and Manchester but the cost out ways the benefit. As for the train system in this country it has to be the most expensive form of travel on the day per mile with electric car charging a close second, all the industrial action makes it even more unappealing coupled with more hybrid working patterns for lots of folk they now don't need them.