Why not do it in 5 years?

[Dave2002]

This article is interesting - HS2: UK in talks with China over construction of high-speed line https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51512831

While we should be wary of the offer, if the benefits are so great would it not make sense to have a much shorter development time? What’s also not clear is whether this offer is for the whole project, or just the southern part.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I agree. As long as safety and environmental issues are observed (and fair pay), it’s worth considering,

[johnb]

I think the government should be very, very cautious indeed.

These Chinese projects (e.g. road and rail building, nuclear plant construction, 5G networks, etc, etc) are a means of the Chinese state extending its influence and, potentially, their power.

[Petrushka]

Is this 'taking back control'?

[rauschwerk]

I just find it immensely dispiriting that we are now a country that can no longer build its own railways.

[Dave2002]

I think the government should be very, very cautious indeed.

These Chinese projects (e.g. road and rail building, nuclear plant construction, 5G networks, etc, etc) are a means of the Chinese state extending its influence and, potentially, their power.

Another "interesting" likelihood would be that if the offer were taken up, I doubt that many UK or EU people would be employed in the construction.

On the other hand, why can't we do things in a very short timescale? If we're so great - that is!

What has happened about that nuclear power station deal - which sounded like a very bad deal for the UK economy? Seems to have gone quiet now that HMG thinks nobody is worrying about that any more?

[teamsaint]

I just find it immensely dispiriting that we are now a country that can no longer build its own railways.

There are many things that we could make but don’t because we can buy them more cheaply.

Presumably if the chinese can build it in 5 years for half the cost, then we could invest the extra elsewhere.

[Frances_iom]

I just find it immensely dispiriting that we are now a country that can no longer build its own railways.

We can't do any heavy engineering any longer, our limited iron + steel production is mostly in the hands of other nations - I understand that as we don't even produce enough explosives any longer, going to war is no longer an option. Be thankful that our railways are still nationalised - tho unfortunately it is other nations railways that own them.

[Bella Kemp]

I seem to remember Basil Fawlty hiring a cheap plumber against the advice of Sybil. You know what happened. But seriously, if the Chinese build this more cheaply it will be because they will buy materials from overseas slave labour sources, they will pay workers less than they deserve and houses, farms and woodland will be uprooted at speed with zero regard for the consequences for people or environment. And if the money saved goes towards public services I will eat my socks.

[teamsaint]

I seem to remember Basil Fawlty hiring a cheap plumber against the advice of Sybil. You know what happened. But seriously, if the Chinese build this more cheaply it will be because they will buy materials from overseas slave labour sources, they will pay workers less than they deserve and houses, farms and woodland will be uprooted at speed with zero regard for the consequences for people or environment. And if the money saved goes towards public services I will eat my socks.

He was a builder I think.
We turn a blind eye to how and where stuff is sourced all the time, especially in regard to China.( Check the small print next time you buy a nice full colour hardback book.) The government can easily enough put controls in place whilst negotiating an HS2 deal.

We ought to be very careful, with Blair's much loved PFI as an example, but there is more than one way to do things.

[LMcD]

One of our train operating companies has had new trains built in Switzerland and they have been delivered late and caused numerous problems. Another is having new trains built in Spain and they're a year late.
And what will Donald T have to say if we let a CHINESE company in on HS2?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One of our train operating companies has had new trains built in Switzerland and they have been delivered late and caused numerous problems. Another is having new trains built in Spain and they're a year late.
And what will Donald T have to say if we let a CHINESE company in on HS2?

It has nothing whatever to do with Trumpy.

[Dave2002]

One of our train operating companies has had new trains built in Switzerland and they have been delivered late and caused numerous problems. Another is having new trains built in Spain and they're a year late.
And what will Donald T have to say if we let a CHINESE company in on HS2?

The USA is not very good at high speed trains - though I have been on the Acelas.

[Serial_Apologist]

I seem to remember Basil Fawlty hiring a cheap plumber against the advice of Sybil. You know what happened. But seriously, if the Chinese build this more cheaply it will be because they will buy materials from overseas slave labour sources, they will pay workers less than they deserve and houses, farms and woodland will be uprooted at speed with zero regard for the consequences for people or environment. And if the money saved goes towards public services I will eat my socks.

I thought you agreed with all that? Or am I wrong in remembering you as recommending against supporting a Corbyn government because it wasn't the Labour party you remembered, ie the post-WW2 one that took similar measures to reconstructing the country, resulting in 30 years of consistent economic growth?

[muzzer]

Some detail from the government would be helpful, would it not? What sort of ‘role’ would be given to the Chinese state owned railway company? Design? Project Management? The right to ‘overrun’ the country with its own steely eyed workers....[as is the innuendo]?

Or are we just being softened up for some sort of JV, the sort that happens in major infrastructure projects all the time?

The contempt with which this clown car of a government treats us is surely without precedent.