BBC Tomorrow’s World was a popular UK science and technology weekly programme. As a child Thursday night TV was special as my two favourite programs were shown back to back; Tomorrow’s World then Top of the Pops.

This episode was the last of the 1970’s; a review of developments in the decade, include an quaint demonstration of early online shopping. A significant part of the programme relates to big projects, segments including:

Channel Tunnel - in 1972 it was thought we would be driving through it by 1978, eventually opened in 1995. The prediction of 50,000 passengers per day was about right though.
Concorde - Over budget and not a commercial success requiring public money to develop and ongoing subsidy. “Paying passengers are turned away as the plane can’t fly with a full load”.
Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station - Construction started in 1965 and was due to start generating power in 1970, it was eventually commissioned in 1983 and cost four times the initial budget. Compare this to the UK’s latest plant Hinckley Point C; “EDF will turn on its first nuclear plant in Britain before Christmas 2017” claimed the UK CEO in 2007; the latest planned opening date is June 2027. How things haven’t changed.
Piece on frustration about how government was allocating spending. In 1975 £432m was invested in Nuclear and Aerospace R&D for a return of £1bn (2.3:1) compared to £655m in other industries for a return of £41bn (62:1). Seems reasonable to assume that Nuclear and Aerospace will be characterised by big projects.
Tyne & Wear Metro (Newcastle UK) - October 1974 original budget was £114m final cost was £265m.

You tube link (Credit tommy p)

Big Projects, Bad Predictions

BBC Tomorrow's World - Review of the 1970's