On 23/11/2014 12:54, NY wrote:
..... and to reopen Beeching Axe routes where
roads are congested. Train frequency and overcrowding are FAR FAR more
important than improvements to journey times.

Only when all congested routes have been attended to should we even
THINK about improving journey times using HS2.
Can we start with re-opening the Great Central?
Perhaps that would qualify, as not only are the roads congested but also
are the railways.
That was even designed for higher speeds. Of course some bits need new
alignment because of developments, and some would need to be in tunnels,
because of increased sensitivity of environments in say Chilterns.

A spur could be added to Birmingham, but I doubt if Marylebone could
cope with traffic so it might need a new terminus.
We could even give it a new name... HS2

Jim