Understand
NEW in Understand - Derailed: The Story of HS2Over 10 episodes, Kate Lamble starts from the beginning, and uncovers the real inside story behind the journey of HS2. From the railwaymen who dreamed it up, through the political crises and politicians who shaped it, the fight to halt it and the mistakes that came to define it.High Speed Two is the remarkably matter of fact name for Europe's largest infrastructure project. The rail project that started life in 2009 promised to join up London and Birmingham, before splitting into two legs towards Manchester and Leeds. It was a straight line that would send trains whizzing at over 200 miles an hour through the British countryside, with a new train leaving London every few minutes. A massive enterprise that would ease the critical pressure on the West Coast Mainline, and become the envy of the world - a watch word for innovation and ambition.
16 years on, and that dream is in tatters. The two Northern legs have been cancelled, costs have spiralled into dizzying territory and it remains uncertain if and when any trains will ever be running. Environmental groups are furious, with complaints that construction has devastated woodlands and habitats. So too, are local communities, with small villages and family farms bearing the brunt of a programme of compulsory purchases and countryside transformed into building sites.
As Prime Ministers and whole political eras came and went, HS2 stuck around as a great dilemma. But each round of scandal and protest was gradually chipping away until it became a shorthand for waste, inefficiency and short-sightedness.
So - what went wrong?
Kate hears from the people closest to the big decisions and the big impacts, from villages along the line to the levers of power inside HS2 and even Downing Street itself. And as she follows the twists and turns of HS2's tortured path, she explores the reality of why we struggle to build a better future.
Understand from BBC Radio 4 - unravelling the complexities of the biggest stories and subjects that really matter right now.
Latest episodes
Jul 7, 2025 • 4min
Derailed: The Story of HS2: Trailer
Kate Lamble investigates the extraordinary inside story of Britain's most ambitious and controversial rail project. Listen first on BBC Sounds from Monday 14 July 2025
Jun 21, 2024 • 15min
The UK Election: 10. What Happens on Election Day?
BBC News presenter Reeta Chakrabarti and other guests discuss the exciting process of election day in the UK, from polls opening to formation of government. Insightful look at exit polls, election night excitement, swing analysis, and past election day recollections.
Jun 17, 2024 • 14min
The UK Election: 9. How Does the Election Differ Across the UK?
James Cook, Catrin Haf Jones, and Enda McClafferty discuss how the UK election differs across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, highlighting the impact of proportional representation, campaign strategies, and political dynamics in each region. They also explore the unique challenges and influences of Northeast Wales, Welsh national politics, and the upcoming general election in Northern Ireland, including the impact of Brexit on party standings.
Jun 17, 2024 • 14min
The UK Election: 8. What’s the Media’s Role in an Election?
Former editor of The Sun newspaper and BBC’s News Culture & Media discuss media's impact on UK elections. They explore the power of British press, broadcasting regulations, TV debates, and social media influence. Insights on changing dynamics and challenges in shaping election outcomes.
Jun 17, 2024 • 14min
The UK Election: 7. What Can Polling Predict?
Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at Oxford University, discusses the significance of opinion polling in politics, trends in UK election polls since 2019, and interpreting polling data for smaller political parties. The episode explores the challenges of predicting election outcomes and the use of polls for decision-making by political parties.
Jun 17, 2024 • 14min
The UK Election: 6. How Important Are Marginal Seats?
Political correspondent Alex Forsyth discusses the impact of marginal seats, tactical voting, and electoral pacts on UK elections. Exploring how constituency boundary changes, safe seats, and shifting dynamics influence election outcomes. Guest host Adam Fleming provides insights from a senior BBC elections analyst.
Jun 10, 2024 • 15min
The UK Election: 5. How Do You Make Sure Voting Runs Smoothly?
Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, discusses changes for Brits abroad voting, voter ID rules, dogs at polling stations, and the use of pencils. Explanations on voter eligibility, turnout fluctuations, ensuring smooth voting processes, and the significance of marginal seats in the UK Election.
Jun 10, 2024 • 15min
The UK Election: 4. Why Do People Vote the Way They Do?
Professor Jane Green discusses the categorization of target voters in UK elections like Mondeo Man and Worcester Woman, exploring how demographics and values influence voter behavior. The episode also delves into the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on the 2019 general election, along with the role of leadership in shaping voter perception.
Jun 10, 2024 • 15min
The UK Election: 3. What Difference Does a Manifesto Make?
Rachel Wolf, co-author of the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto, and Jonathan Rutherford discuss the writing process and impact of political manifestos in UK elections. They delve into the contrasting approaches of the Conservative and Labour Parties, the importance of costings, and the significance of manifestos in shaping post-election governance.
Jun 10, 2024 • 15min
The UK Election: 2. How Are Candidates Selected?
Political journalist Michael Crick joins host Adam Fleming to dissect the intricate process of how candidates are selected in the UK election. They delve into the importance of local candidates, strategies politicians use, and the impact of initiatives like the all women's shortlists in the Labour Party
