IoD boss: "We need runway more than HS2"

THE RUNWAY extension at Birmingham Airport is more important for the immediate needs of the West Midlands than “futuristic discussions” about high speed rail, says the regional chairman of the Institute of Directors.

John Rider said HS2 was very welcome but an airport extension would produce faster results, as the rail line could become bogged down in local planning issues.

He said his major concern was that with unemployment at almost ten per cent, the West Midlands is struggling to create the opportunities that will be needed as public sector cutbacks bite.

Mr Rider is also sceptical about whether HS2 can keep to its timetable. Construction is due to begin in 2017 with the first trains running by 2025.

He said: “Yes, of course we want and need HS2. But the timescale for serious economic impact from the project is many years away – perhaps ten years’ planning and consultation and another ten years to build. After all, when have we ever seen one of these big projects ever run to time in this country?”

He also expressed his worries that the Localism Bill could mean yet more delays as it abolishes the Infrastructure Planning Commission in favour of a Major Infrastructure Planning Unit, with ministers taking the final decisions.

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But the Bill also proposes wider powers for local authorities, parish councils and communities.

Mr Rider said: “The Commission was designed to overcome planning permission problems if a project was ‘in the national interest’ and needed pushing through – a motorway, for instance. Now the new and supposedly better planning approach means that HS2 can seemingly be challenged about every 50 metres – or every time it crosses a local authority or parish boundary.”

And he went on: “Arguably, the extra bit of runway at Birmingham airport will have more impact and will deliver results quicker. We must get that project started. Let’s get on with it – the time for talking is over.”

 

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