The French railway system has long been a marvel of efficiency and innovation, and the story of the TGV and LGV networks is a fascinating one. In this article, I will delve into the key differences between the French approach to high-speed rail and the UK's HS2 project, and explore the implications for Wales and the rest of the UK. The French have built high-speed rail more quickly and at lower cost than the UK, and their success reflects a long-term planning, funding, and engineering philosophy that has been lacking in the UK. The UK's HS2 project has been plagued by political and public opinion, with 19 rail ministers and eight transport secretaries since its conception in 2009. This has led to a significant gap between France and Britain in the delivery of high-speed rail. The French approach to high-speed rail is characterized by a lengthy planning phase, which allows funding risks to be properly assessed over several years. This is managed through the Déclaration d'Utilité Publique (DUP), which provides for public consultation, the gathering of views from all interested parties, a cost-benefit analysis, and planning for associated infrastructure. The DUP is subject to judicial review, which considers both the benefits and potential drawbacks, and may introduce constraints. In contrast, the UK's HS2 project began construction before all planning had been completed, and plans were still being developed when construction was going on. This has led to significant delays and cost overruns. The French have also been more successful in building high-speed rail networks that serve a wider range of towns and cities, with 1,740 miles of high-speed railway built at a cost of €80bn (£69.2bn), compared to just 68 miles in the UK. The French have also been more successful in electrifying their conventional network, which has led to shorter journey times and improved intercity services. In Wales, the best we can hope for at present is a faster conventional railway, rather than a TGV-style high-speed railway with very high speeds and limited stops. This raises a deeper question: should Wales settle for shorter journey times through faster-accelerating trains, more electrification, and selective track straightening, or should we push for a high-speed railway that can truly transform the way we travel in Wales? The answer to this question will have significant implications for the future of rail in Wales and the rest of the UK. Personally, I think that the UK needs to learn from the French approach to high-speed rail, and that we need to adopt a long-term planning, funding, and engineering philosophy that can deliver real results. Only then can we hope to close the gap with France and deliver a high-speed rail network that truly serves the needs of the UK and its people.
