Comments on: New line between Handsacre and Manchester Airport proposed to replace HS2 Phase 2 https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/new-line-between-handsacre-and-manchester-airport-proposed-to-replace-hs2-phase-2-21-03-2024/ Civil engineering and construction news and jobs from New Civil Engineer Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:03:21 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0 https://www.newcivilengineer.com/wp-content/themes/mbm-mops-2017/images/logo.gif New Civil Engineer https://www.newcivilengineer.com 125 75 Civil engineering and construction news and jobs from New Civil Engineer By: David Howard https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/new-line-between-handsacre-and-manchester-airport-proposed-to-replace-hs2-phase-2-21-03-2024/#comment-4739 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:03:21 +0000 https://www.newcivilengineer.com/?p=275860#comment-4739 If there is to be a new route from Handsacre to Manchester via Crewe then doesn’t it make total sense to progress Phase 2a? Crewe station is at capacity already and needs re-building. Delaying will just increase the cost. I cannot see how stopping short of Manchester Picadilly is of benefit, this new scheme will not connect to the Northern Powerhouse. All seems half baked and not thought through.

]]> By: Alistair Muir https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/new-line-between-handsacre-and-manchester-airport-proposed-to-replace-hs2-phase-2-21-03-2024/#comment-4732 Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:00:20 +0000 https://www.newcivilengineer.com/?p=275860#comment-4732 I agree that new infrastructure such as this line is needed, but does it have to be financed by the private sector?
The costs involved could be covered only by very rich companies, or a sovereign wealth fund. Once these assets are sold, they are gone, and the new owners can charge what they can get in perpetuity.
If the schemes can generate more benefits than costs over its lifetime, why should not the benefits accrue to the tax payer?

Our descendants may not thank us for mortgaging their future.

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