this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
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UK Politics

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[–] tinned_tomatoes 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That's not really comparable. China bulldozes through land with little regard for the societal or environmental impact. The UK is a place of natural beauty and has laws against doing that. It's right that we have proper surveys and planning permissions needed for this sort of thing, in my opinion!

[–] AlpacaChariot@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Not sure why people are downvoting you, you're right. Checks and balances cost money, and in broad terms we're right to have those checks and balances. Maybe we need to reduce the burden slightly but our approach isn't totally wrong.

[–] mackwinston 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Even the chaotic Spanish have managed to build a decent high speed rail network. While they don't have the population density of the south east of England, they seem to be much more organised. Perhaps it's really Britain that's chaotic, certainly when it comes to infrastructure projects that aren't for cars?

[–] Hyperreality@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Spain is basically empty outside of the larger cities, and property prices are often very low, so it is different.

The Netherlands is perhaps a better example. Very high population density, technical challenges due to a lot of reclaimed land, high property prices.

If they can manage it...

[–] BrokebackHampton@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

property prices are often very low

HAHAHAHAHAHA now that's a good one

[–] Hyperreality@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

?

Don't believe me, have a look for yourself:

https://www.idealista.com/

Valencia, Murcia... it's quite easy to find a house for under 10k. You'll have to renovate it, but still.

[–] fristislurper@feddit.nl 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Netherlands has plenty of normal rail, but actually hardly any high speed. Same problems...

[–] starlinguk@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

"Problems". The Dutch government doesn't WANT to spend the money.

[–] Arghhh@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Not defending anyone's position, but even Italy managed to build one. I think costs were around 30+ billions.

[–] sabreW4K3@lemmy.tf -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't even know what to say to this. You have inherent biases and that's fair, but you should try and address them internally rather than just posting them. To suggest that China doesn't do proper surveys and just bulldozes through land without regard for societal or environmental impact sounds racist AF.

France has 3000 kilometres of high speed rail compared to our 100.

[–] Big_Twerp 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’ve worked as a civil engineering consultant in china, comparing how the deliver a major rail project to here in the uk is frankly moronic. It isn’t bias, it’s fact

[–] sabreW4K3@lemmy.tf -2 points 1 year ago

Well considering they've actually delivered their rail projects 🤷🏾‍♂️