It seems that the UK is dysfunctional in the size of London compared to the rest of the country(s).

"The 2011 census figures for Britain's broadly defined built-up areas, ranked by population, show that Greater London comes first with 9.8 million. That makes it as big as the next six urban areas put together - Greater Manchester (2.5m), the West Midlands (2.4m), West Yorkshire (1.8m), Greater Glasgow and Clyde (1.2m), Liverpool (0.9m) and South Hampshire (0.9m). "

So when we take out the whole of Scotland then England is even more dominated by London. This can't be good for rUK at all - it could quickly turn into a city state with a high speed railway to some suburbs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26472423 Everyone can spread it - Anyone can catch it. Stay home - the life you save can be your own!

quote: "it could quickly turn into a city state with a high speed railway to nowhere" unquote.

I think the phrase already coined is "Londoncentric".

Apparently London is twice the size it should be or our "second city" - Greater Manchester? is half as big as it should be in comparison to other countries and their own relative sizes of capitals and second cities. 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Cannot help smiling that the recent focus on the thread is on the railways, and high speed at that, regardless of it going nowhere or somewhere

Clearly the Chinese, Japanese, French, Germans, and even those slouches the Spanish know the essence of the words "high speed" having their HS network expansions accomplished in less time than it takes Westminster to read through the green and white parliamentary papers on the subject

The Channel Tunnel after lots of stop starts in its own history eventually officially opened in May 1994 but it took until November 2007 for the high speed rail line HS1 to be opened for passenger traffic - an horizon bending 57mls of it

And now the esteemed body Westminster are on high speed again - this time HS2. Build to commence 2017 and planned to open for passengers in 2026 all for the 98mls of it to Brum. And the gentile folk of York need not line the platform until 2033 with their garlands and bunting. And as for reaching Scotland - dream on - independence or not

However my original reference to "dysfunctional UK" referred to a broader palette of governance, not just transport, but happy to contribute on the subject nevertheless. Will Wales be HS3 in 2075.............