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Nick
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Message 1470807 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 17:53:22 UTC

DAMNING HS2 REPORT
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2548813/Damning-HS2-report-says-project-danger-failing-kept-secret-government-decide-not-public-print-it.html

....Is this true, Chris??
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Message 1470809 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 17:56:41 UTC - in response to Message 1470807.  
Last modified: 30 Jan 2014, 17:58:36 UTC

DAMNING HS2 REPORT
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2548813/Damning-HS2-report-says-project-danger-failing-kept-secret-government-decide-not-public-print-it.html

....Is this true, Chris??

I doubt it, it was in the Daily Mail.

The report probably doesn't exist, so when it isn't published, the DM will say it's been suppressed.
It's like the old conspiracy theorist fallacy, when they fail to find any evidence to support their conspiracy, it's because the government has suppressed the files.
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Message 1470816 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 18:12:20 UTC - in response to Message 1470809.  

I doubt it, it was in the Daily Mail.

The report probably doesn't exist, so when it isn't published, the DM will say it's been suppressed.
It's like the old conspiracy theorist fallacy, when they fail to find any evidence to support their conspiracy, it's because the government has suppressed the files.

Nope, other media outlets are also reporting this.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/fa1605d6-89b8-11e3-abc4-00144feab7de.html#axzz2ruHBwRps

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10607255/Critical-HS2-report-blocked-by-ministers.html

Seems legit to me.
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Message 1470848 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 19:34:34 UTC

The problem with governments is the hoops and loops one has to go through to obtain information for either research purposes or to make an informed comment. I have been trying for some time to obtain information on the governments Direct Operating Railway and its staffing levels.

Since the ECML debacle, the DOR in the five years it has controlled the ECML has made a profit of £600,000,000. Yet here we are, a so-called coalition government which is supposed to be good for the country selling off the ECML. WHY?

We are in austere times so a government department making profits year in year out should be for the good.

The problem with HS2 is that even though it really is an excellent idea, it has been badly handled and in certain aspects, badly thought out.

One issue I have not seen in any report regarding HS2 is WHO will be controlling it once it has been built?

The DOR or a private franchise? If franchised, it will not benefit the country as stated for the simple reason is that the fares will be too high for ordinary people to use as the cost of it will have to be recovered and added to that will be the profits for the fatcats running it.

So just where will the benefits for the country be?
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Message 1470862 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 20:22:45 UTC - in response to Message 1470859.  

One issue I have not seen in any report regarding HS2 is WHO will be controlling it once it has been built?

HS1 Ltd holds the concession from government to operate, manage, and maintain, the high-speed railway infrastructure until December 2040. I would imagine that HS2 Ltd will be set up in due course.

HS1

It seems that you do not read the reports you link into.

"The review had been shared with HS2 Ltd, which is a company wholly owned by the Department for Transport with a remit to design and promote the new rail link."

So again, it begs the question, why are they selling off the ECML yet keeping control of HS2? Is it because they know it will be nothing but ££££££££ in their eyeballs?

Also, why another company set up and owned by the government? Why not just hand it to the DOR, after all they have proved over the last five years that they have been highly efficient!
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Message 1470903 - Posted: 30 Jan 2014, 21:34:12 UTC - in response to Message 1470894.  

Yes of course HS2 Ltd already exists HS2 Ltd but I read their site as being as they quote

HS2 Ltd is the company responsible for developing and promoting the UK’s new high speed rail network and is wholly owned by the Department for Transport.

I didn't see it as the final operating company, like HS1 Ltd is. So fair comment.


Sorry Chris I did not intend it to sound harsh. From the report It is pretty obvious that HS2 will go the same way as HS1.

What I am finding difficult to understand here is that the government will be holding onto both HS1 & HS2 so why sell off another profitable railway in their hands?
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Message 1471078 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 11:18:36 UTC - in response to Message 1471075.  

It's OK, you were technically correct, HS2 already exists in some form. In terms of the selling off ECML I have previously agreed that it doesn't make much sense to me either. And do note that the Lib Dems are against it, this is Tory business, as they believe in privately run franchises.


Thanks for that titbit, wasn't aware they were against it.
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Message 1471105 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 12:43:58 UTC - in response to Message 1471103.  
Last modified: 31 Jan 2014, 12:46:49 UTC

Talk about calling the kettle black!

MP's say bonuses irresponsible

...and your expenses fiddling was not?
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Message 1471108 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 12:50:39 UTC - in response to Message 1471103.  

I shall carry on carrying on ...

Maybe Iceland should be proactive about this and put their out-of-date stuff on a big shelf outside the store, for free, with a big disclaimer sign saying 'anything taken from this shelf and consumed is at your own risk, Iceland will not be held liable.'
If they did that, they can advertise that they're reducing food waste in this time of austerity and spin the PR to their advantage.
That's what i'd do.
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Message 1471111 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 12:52:31 UTC - in response to Message 1471105.  

Talk about calling the kettle black!

MP's say bonuses irresponsible

...and your expenses fiddling was not?

Depends who got the bonuses. If they're given to the people who did well at whatever they do then fair enough, if they're given to everyone that it's more questionable.
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Message 1471122 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 13:10:01 UTC

I think a copy of this report should be handed to every MP and the question asked - Why was it sold off so cheaply?

Then and Now - ain't progress a b*tch!
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Message 1471339 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 21:29:18 UTC

Another reason why our politicians are so out of touch....

Tory MP de-selected

The dispute between the MP and the local association, believed to be a clash of personalities rather than based on policy differences, has been the subject of an internal investigation by Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

A leaked report earlier this month suggested the local party was beset by "factions" and the situation had "spiralled out of control".

Really is amazing what occurs behind closed doors
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Message 1471399 - Posted: 31 Jan 2014, 23:12:37 UTC - in response to Message 1471125.  

Anyone remember "two way family favourites" on the radio in the 1950's on Sunday lunchtimes? It had Cliff Michelmore and his wife Jean Metcalfe in London and Bill Crozier in Cologne. The BFPO's abroad worked very similar to those in WW1. i.e. damn fast and you didn't need a 1st class stamp! But that was a hangover from the world wars when nothing was too good for our lads. Come peacetime, Royal mail was run for different reasons, mainly financial.

Anyone remember the Sunday ritual carried out by mother and oh yes, Sing something
simple.....every Sunday evening and so mind numbingly boring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieth9gTRaZI
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Message 1471522 - Posted: 1 Feb 2014, 10:35:28 UTC

About time!

Councils call for powers to tackle betting shop blight

However, local councils have only themselves to blame in forcing businesses out of the area due to high business rates. Tough call to make but they can't have their bread buttered both sides.
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Message 1471784 - Posted: 2 Feb 2014, 0:42:10 UTC - in response to Message 1471522.  

About time!

Councils call for powers to tackle betting shop blight

However, local councils have only themselves to blame in forcing businesses out of the area due to high business rates. Tough call to make but they can't have their bread buttered both sides.

....and added to this, high rents too......
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Message 1471890 - Posted: 2 Feb 2014, 9:42:02 UTC - in response to Message 1471784.  

About time!

Councils call for powers to tackle betting shop blight

However, local councils have only themselves to blame in forcing businesses out of the area due to high business rates. Tough call to make but they can't have their bread buttered both sides.

....and added to this, high rents too......


....and cutting the wages of some of their employees by (in my case) about 7%, whilst creating new 'executive posts' (as in the case of my employers) with a package of some £180k!!!
Don't take life too seriously, as you'll never come out of it alive!
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Message 1473278 - Posted: 6 Feb 2014, 13:58:37 UTC

Nice, makes up for the Thameslink debacle.....

Bombardier wins Crossrail deal
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Message 1474661 - Posted: 9 Feb 2014, 15:32:59 UTC - in response to Message 1474659.  

According to recent research, 25% of Conservative MPs are also private landlords (compared to 12.5% of Labour MPs and 15% of Lib Dems).

I expect the usual comments from the usual people.


Which are?
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Message 1474684 - Posted: 9 Feb 2014, 16:09:37 UTC - in response to Message 1474676.  

Leaving out the glaringly obvious one at that.

Why should landlords do what the border agency and local housing enforcement are already paid to do.
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Message 1474690 - Posted: 9 Feb 2014, 16:18:11 UTC - in response to Message 1474659.  
Last modified: 9 Feb 2014, 16:21:03 UTC

According to recent research, 25% of Conservative MPs are also private landlords (compared to 12.5% of Labour MPs and 15% of Lib Dems).

I expect the usual comments from the usual people.

Isn't that more a result of their backgrounds, and therefore a reflection of which classes are likely to be members of the political parties. I wouldn't have been surprised if the figures showed more than 25% of Tory MP's owning property.

edit] Also the level of rents in the private sector is regulated more on supply and demand than any other influence.
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