High speed does not cost just a little bit more

One of the arguments for HS2 has been that the cost difference between building normal speed and high speed lines is very small. That is not conceivable.

• Minimum permitted curvature limits the choice of route. For a conventional speed railway, old abandoned infrastructure can be used.
• Specification of infrastructure.
• Specification of rolling stock.
• Energy costs.
• Wear and tear.