HS2 worker shares hilarious tale of training with 'D-class actors' and five staff for one traffic light

27 January 2023, 11:54

Caller shares shocking, and hilarious tale of working for HS2: 'They hired actors for training!'

By Phoebe Dampare Osei

After the news that HS2 may never reach central London and could be scaled down or stopped altogether, this traffic marshal told Nick Ferrari of the compulsory training workers on HS2 sites have to undertake, involving “role play”.

A HS2 traffic marshall has told Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC an amusing story of “D-class actors” helping to train wardens in scenarios of what could happen if the high-speed railway were in service.

This call came after the news that HS2 may never reach central London and could be discontinued altogether, as it “now costs more to build than the value of the benefits it will deliver”, according to former Number 10 Transport Adviser Andrew ­Gilligan.

READ MORE: HS2 may never reach central London and could be scrapped entirely amid spiralling costs

Michael in Brackley said: “You have to go on training, a full day” he explained. “It’s role-play scenarios, they’ve employed actors in certain scenarios.”

“Where’s the train, oh my God I can’t see the train!” Nick laughed going along with it.

The caller described them as “D-class actors”, much to Nick’s amusement.

Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run to central London

Some of the scenarios included a child's death as a result of being injured on site, and what would happen if the family sued HS2.

Michael added that ministers arrived in two buses from London on one occasion, were given “brand new hard hats”, and spent “half an hour to look at a bridge that they were going to demolish”.

After they hung up their new uniforms for the visit and left, the caller said “all the guys were scrambling to get them, the boots, the bags and everything”, and Nich laughed once against.

READ MORE: 'Break down and you're a sitting duck': Drivers warned over 'extremely dangerous' smart motorway outage this weekend

He also said: “They gave me a work station with four of the guys to control a traffic light.”

“Sorry, five people to control a traffic light?” Nick asked in disbelief, which he confirmed.

He said: “It’s unbelievable Nick”, adding he was making £700 a week.

“Also if you drive around Northamptonshire you’ll see planks sitting in fields for weeks and weeks upon end…I stood there one day, they were going to put a new road in…seven times they've put that road down, they’ve got it wrong every time.”, he added.

“Oh my God”, Nick replied, aghast.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' says defence secretary noting forces already play 'important' role in preventing escalation

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' with forces playing an 'important' role in preventing escalation