Crisis Leaves Britain Deeply Fractured

[Mich the Tester]

Hasn't Britain always been the way they've described it? As in; poor folks have a crap life, rich folks have a very good life. Otherwise, why did so many people leave to Australia, Canada, NZ, South Africa in the past?

[Troll]

I look forward to the day when the ICE train pulls into London! (It'll probably be on time too :O)

Caught on the news that Euro Tunnel were being being forced to lower the access charges to the chunnel - don't know if that is related to the ICE service starting in (delayed) 2016

The reasons for the delay are a bit farcical btw and worth a google

Originally Deutsche Bahn was hopeful of running international trains to London in time for the 2012 Olympics. Its high-speed ICE train was launched in a blaze of publicity at London’s St Pancras in 2010 (see online news October 19, 2010).

At the start of this year we reported that technical issues had pushed back the launch date until the end of 2013 (see online news January 9), and now comes news that DB does not expect to operate through trains between Germany and London St Pancras before 2016 at the earliest.

According to a report on Spiegel Online, ongoing technical issues at train builder Siemens means that the new ICE trains being ordered for domestic and international operation will not be ready in time.

As Business Traveller has explained in the past, the operation of international trains within Europe is a complex operation because every country has its own technical standards.

The existing Eurostar trains get round this by using sophisticated technology. But they cannot run beyond Belgium and France into Holland and Germany without expensive modifications as the latter two countries have different systems too.

A further problem faced by DB is that it will be operating 200-metre long trains joined together to form one unit. According to industry magazine RAIL, this concept has not yet been approved by the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (the body which determines technical standards for the Tunnel) as, under current rules, a door always needs to be opposite one of the Tunnel’s cross-passage exits.

In the past a number of people have asked why, when the first ICE was exhibited at St Pancras, is it not possible to use that train rather than wait for expensive new rolling stock.

The fact is that DB’s ICE was not approved to use the Tunnel in 2010. So it did not operate into London under its own power. It was hauled by a couple of diesel locomotives (specially designed for Tunnel operation) from Calais through to St Pancras.

[xoggoth]

Most of the the English population couldn't give a flying feck one way or the other (not that anyone has bothered to ask us, btw...)

I agree, although I would add "provided we don't end up picking up the bill". Debt needs to be properly apportioned (it is not called bank of Scotland for nothing), oil revenue needs to be divided according to international laws not how some Scots seem to think it works, Scottish decisions should not impact the pound, we no longer consider them when setting British summer time etc, etc.

We must not prop them up in any way whatever as we did with Ireland, I think for decades we paid for all their roads.

[doodab]

We must not prop them up in any way whatever as we did with Ireland, I think for decades we paid for all their roads.

It will be divided equitably. We'll take the high roads and they'll take the low roads....

[scooterscot]

"Most of the the English population couldn't give a flying feck one way or the other (not that anyone has bothered to ask us, btw...)

"I agree, .

Well you should.

The impact to the region will be profound for England if Scotland leaves the UK. Particularly for those that live in the north of England.

Without a clear list spelling out the differences for a united kingdom with and without Scotland, the debate shall be ill informed.

Regardless of the vote, my belief is the outcome will be good for Scotland. The goodwill surrounding the debate amongst those at home is invigorating.

[VectraMan]

It will be divided equitably. We'll take the high roads and they'll take the low roads....

By then, global warming will have rendered the high roads impassable.

The English do care about Scottish independence, because we know it'll somehow end up costing us a load of money with all the benefit going north. And once Scotland bankrupts itself, it'll be the rest of the UK funding the bailout.

[DodgyAgent]

Well you should.

The impact to the region will be profound for England if Scotland leaves the UK. Particularly for those that live in the north of England.

Without a clear list spelling out the differences for a united kingdom with and without Scotland, the debate shall be ill informed.

Regardless of the vote, my belief is the outcome will be good for Scotland. The goodwill surrounding the debate amongst those at home is invigorating.

Have the Germans handed Poland back yet?

[darmstadt]

Have the Germans handed Poland back yet?

Have the British handed back: http://www.royal.gov.uk/monarchandco...monwealth.aspx

[minestrone]

I agree, although I would add "provided we don't end up picking up the bill". Debt needs to be properly apportioned (it is not called bank of Scotland for nothing), oil revenue needs to be divided according to international laws not how some Scots seem to think it works, Scottish decisions should not impact the pound, we no longer consider them when setting British summer time etc, etc.

We must not prop them up in any way whatever as we did with Ireland, I think for decades we paid for all their roads.

Bulltulip.

[MyUserName]

I am looking forward to the vote to see whether we throw Scotland out of the UK.