I promised I would not comment any further on this topic, but here goes.
It would not really be "easier" to wire a house with the radial system. You won't have fewer floorboards to lift, & you still have 2 cables at each point except the final one.
I have installed both systems, the only difference would be that in radial you do not have to return to the consumer unit from the final point.
Utilising the radial system would result in extra socket circuits being required in the average home, and consequently a larger distribution board with more mcb's.
Bottom line is it would be more expensive, but not a lot more, I've never sat down & worked it out.
It is quite acceptable under UK regs to use radial socket circuits, I often do, when installing a limited number of sockets in a location remote from the consumer unit.
I think ultimately the ring main will be abandoned in the UK, EU harmonization will ensure that. As long as what replaces it is a better, safer system, then that's OK.
Until then British sparkies will continue to favour the ring main.
