...and they want to build HS2 !

I haven't got engaged in the debate, but my experience today makes me think we can't run our current network, why should we build more! ( OK I hear some saying, but thats because its old network and old stock)

Booked on 11.26 from penrith which was  66 minutes late leaving. 

Told to change at Stafford onto the late running 15.44 train to Birmingham New Street .(about 6 minutes late)  this was terminated at the next stop because of problems .

A quick platform dash to get the train to Birmingam International  , to go back to new Street as it can't go direct because of damage to over head lines.

Birmingham New St caught the again slightly delayed 16.42 Bristol Templmeads to Cheltenham -that didn't leave till 16.55 .

The train arrived at Cheltenham 15 minutes late at 17.45. just 1 minute after my 17.44 connecting train to Kemble left the station from the platform I arrived on. Next train 18.34.

A scheduled wait in Gloucester  of about 10 minutes, for the train to change direction and on our way arrival at Kemble 19.34.

Hopefully I'll arrive on time, but nearly 4 hours after my original scheduled time of arriva, for a trip that should have taken 4hr 25 minutes!