There have been various attempts to regenerate the cities of the North over the last fifty years or so. All … Continue reading “Re-heating regional policy: flaws in the ‘Northern Powerhouse’”

The 2015 election campaign offered the electorate a choice of policies on HS2: The two major parties, plus the Lib … Continue reading “Google might have an alternative to HS2”

The recent announcement that the projected cost of Crossrail 2 has risen to £27 billion should be cause for deep … Continue reading “The debt dangers of Britain’s infrastructure craze”

With severe congestion on the roads, overcrowding on commuter trains and long delays at the hub airport, Britain’s transport system … Continue reading “Going nowhere – fast”

Yesterday saw the House of Commons give the green light to HS2 at second reading, with the bill now heading … Continue reading “HS2 backers have failed to make a convincing case”

The centenary of the beginning of World War I is fast approaching. Not only is it a time to remember … Continue reading “High Speed 2 and the sunk-cost fallacy”

One of the so-called ‘Big Beasts’ of UK politics and government, Lord Heseltine – formerly cast as ‘Tarzan’ by much … Continue reading “High Speed 2: Tarzanomics vs. Economics”

In the face of mounting doubts as to the merits of High Speed 2 (HS2), Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin continues … Continue reading “High Speed 2 benefits special interests at the expense of the wider economy”

We are conditioned to accept that as projects such as High Speed 2 (HS2) are progressed, the cost estimates will … Continue reading “High Speed 2 and dodgy numbers: why detailed costings must be subject to public scrutiny”