I visited ‘dead’ UK market town and it represents 1 thing wrong with Britain | UK | News
The UK’s market towns are falling on hard times because the way we use them has fundamentally changed. The decline in overall visitor numbers has been compounded by a drop in business rates and an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions by Rachel Reeves. But with significant gaps in Britain’s infrastructure, the place has another problem to deal with. Ashford in Kent lost Eurostar services in 2020 and trains are yet to return after coming to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents understandably want them back and can’t wait. There is a feeling that the town is going downhill; There is a prevailing mood across a large part of the country in these troubled times. According to experts, the loss of international trains has resulted in a reduction of at least 197,000 visitors and the loss of £126 million of visitor spend each year. The undermining is another striking example of the huge impact global events can have on communities across Britain, as well as highlighting the vital nature of infrastructure for economic development and maintaining prosperity in the first place.
A friend of mine who recently returned from China told me about the country’s public transportation network.
Customers can take the train in the metro at any time and access 5G whenever they want.
Travel is also significantly cheaper.
People are relaxed, not even a little excited, on high-speed trains traveling at 257 miles per hour.
My friend even said it was monotonous.
Such services are beyond the wildest dreams of the British.
Our railways are admired, but mostly for their historical role.
After all, we were the first ones to have them.
Looking ahead, it looks as if Britain is destined to languish in mediocrity.
The country looks like a parachute with many holes on it.
Not to mention HS2 because we all realize what a farce this has become.
Rishi Sunak’s decision to cancel the northern leg was an act of extraordinary political selfishness and it did not even increase his individual wealth.
Now what is the purpose of the project?
His goal was to strengthen the cities in the north, and he will not even go there.
Now.
The Electric Spine project, which aimed to create a major electric rail corridor from Southampton to northern and central England in a bid to improve freight transport, was largely canceled in July 2017 due to budget overruns.
It’s an all too familiar story.
We’re not even talking about roads here.
Dual work on the A9 motorway between Perth and Inverness in Scotland was due to be completed this year.
However, the plan has now been postponed until 2035.
A lost decade.
In the West Midlands, the tram line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill has been postponed until next year.
The Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) project, a new, lower-cost public tram being developed in Coventry, is also expected to begin service in 2027.
Exciting trials took place earlier this year.
This list only scratches the surface.
In her opening speech, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “While Britain was redefining what a woman is, China was building five nuclear reactors.”
While I think the first part of his statement is a bit unpleasant and unnecessary, the second part is valid.
It’s almost like we gave up.
There is a distinct lack of ambition and no sense of urgency.
Yes, there are financial and logistical issues that are largely out of our control.
But these problems can be overcome.
Britain has become a nation of procrastinators, and its citizens are paying the price.
Frustrated by an unfinished project in your area? Then get in touch by emailing adam.toms@reachplc or calling 07788 108490.
