Gradual build out is part of the problem, unless it’s designed in parts too. Part of the issue with HS2 has been the government has told them to slow down, and in that time costs have gone up through inflation.As for the gradual build-out, indeed that approach could even increase costs slightly. The big benefit though is that it's much easier to fund/approve/deliver piece-meal schemes with smaller price-tags.
So a higher frequency of trains connecting onto fast trains up north would be that terrible?Very few long-distance trains will actually be removable.
Unless you propose to leave MKC et al without services beyond Birmingham, which I imagine would go down like a lead balloon with the electorate.
I don’t think I can think of a project where someone hasn’t been disadvantaged, it’s unavoidable, you can never please everyone. That’s part of what has already held HS2 back, and sometimes the amount of people something will benefit needs to be held up against the significantly smaller amount it will disadvantage. (In terms of original HS2, without comment on current plans.