The HS2 is old technology with a few modern bells and whistles.

1/ It still runs on rails.

2/ It still runs on flanged metal wheels.

3/ It still needs stations and platforms.

Britain can't lead the World with HS rail travel because other countries have a better chance of doing so with their existing long distance networks and there's absolutely no chance of Britain thinking that playing catch-up for catch-ups sake is going to lead to some World-beating pipe dream.

The M1 was "new" in that it was to be a completely new road with "gentle" curves, wide carriageways, a hard shoulder and no crossroads in complete contrast to the roads that existed at that time. Also, the M1 was for all vehicles, it wasn't proposed just for buses to carry commuters.......

The HS2 isn't "new" in the same way in comparison to existing rail lines except that it'll largely avoid many centres of population and (presumably) allow a much faster speed.

I just cannot see how it will relieve any congestion or take much (if any noticeable) traffic from existing road and rail links.

We tried to be innovative with the Concord(e) and that didn't lead to anything along the supersonic lines (no pun intended) and any gain in time with the HS2 will be eaten up in actually getting to somewhere to get on the thing.

We should be trying to encourage business in the locality not promote idiotic long-distance travel for no useful purpose. Who is going to benefit from HS travel? Why do they need HS rail travel anyway? What are they doing that requires the saving of a few minutes of travel time?