Why is the UK so rubbish at building infrastructure?

[Lucydogz]

In last week's news I read about a massive sinkhole appearing in a street in Fukuoka, Japan. In less than a week it had been repaired and everything was back to normal. Here in Bristol, the Metrobus project is way over budget and out of schedule. After thousands being spent, the plan to electrify the railway into the city has been abandoned. Nationwide, we are dangerously close to having power cuts because we can't get our act together to build more power stations.
Why are we so bad at this?. I don't think the blame can be put at the door of austerity measures because it's not a new thing.

[Suppermummy02]

NIMBYs - We have build a system of planning that prioritises anyone who might take offence. Its easy to say but hard to change because there is always someone who is offended.

[Lucydogz]

I agree with you, but we're also rubbish at projects that have been approved and are being constructed. They always seem to come in late and run way over schedule. Why is this?

[Backingvocals]

Have you lived abroad? Have you been to Gare du Nord recently? Its a shithole. Try Belgian roads if you enjoy bone-shaking potholes. American infrastructure is dreadful. Or Berlin airport which is running 7 years behind schedule.

Infrastructure is difficult everywhere. Especially in a properly functioning democracy where residents' views are taken into account.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I don't think we are bad at infratructure. Slow...but not bad.

We are, however, irredeemably shite at specifying the requirements for government IT systems.

[SouthernComforts]

I was thinking this the other day when I saw on the news that HS2 is going to take 17 years to build . Did it take the Victorians that long to build a railway? (Genuine question)

[Lucydogz]

And why are the Japanese so good at it? That sinkhole was enormous and it was sorted in days. If it had been in Bristol we'd be living with it for a decade.

[Backingvocals]

Population in Victorian times was between one quarter and a half of what it is today. And no democratic decision making to speak of. And hardly any property owners. It does make it easier when you can safely overlook the vast majority of the population.

[Backingvocals]

If you ever have the chance to go up the Shard you can see the Victorian approach to infrastructure. They chucked a massive railway viaduct right through the grounds of Southwark Catherdral. Its about 15m from the actual cathedral. Astonishing really. They didnt give a fuck. Its admirable in a way but everything in its path was decimated.