[ianch99]

Interesting article on Spain's HS rail network:

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...-peoples-lives

The country has managed to build itself the longest high-speed rail network in Europe and the second longest in the world, now spanning approximately 2,500 miles (4,000km) (and still expanding). By way of comparison, France has built 1,740 miles (2,800km), and Britain – still coming to terms with its latest high-speed fiasco – 68 (110km).

So how did Spain get it right? European Union funding was certainly a gamechanger. It was available to other countries too, but Spain was particularly effective in using it for infrastructure. The country has spent around €57.2bn in building its network, with one in four euros coming from EU funding. It still required a strong public commitment of both funds for construction and to subsidise low prices. Private companies didn’t enter the picture until the service was reliable and extensive. The railway network is still in public hands.

Construction costs were lower than in Britain, partly because of lower population density. You don’t have to displace communities in the almost empty plains that many trains run through. Nevertheless the mountainous terrain means some routes have proved to be costly and have also experienced significant delays.

This disproves the old trope that Public ownership means more money and minimal progress.