From P. Hopkins
For those questioning the value of particle physics projects such as the Large Hadron Collider (20 April, p 32), the LHC offers one key lesson if our masters are willing to learn it: how to manage a vast and complex project.
It required the building of a deep tunnel forming a loop with a circumference of 30 kilometres, packed with unique equipment designed to the limit of current knowledge and engineering capability, staffed by some of the most qualified people on the planet. It was ready almost on time for a cost of about £5 billion.
For an equivalent sum in the UK we would have got just half of the 2012 Olympics, a fraction of the planned cross-London rail link Crossrail, or a small chunk of the High Speed 2 rail link from London to Birmingham.
Boscastle, Cornwall, UK
