Re-think HS2 depot plan, urges St Modwen

DEVELOPER St Modwen has called for a major re-think on the controversial issue of locating a high-speed rail depot at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.

The firm owns the 55-acre Heartlands Park scheme on the site of the former Alstom works which – despite Birmingham City Council opposition – has been earmarked as  the potential site of a rolling stock depot for HS2.

This week Quinton-based St Modwen announced Heartlands Park is now is now more than 90% let.

A range of businesses now operate out of the business park including white goods manufacturer Beko, workplace services provider PHS and independent ports operator Port of Boston, bringing the total space let to tenants on the site to more than 680,000 sq ft.

One of the main attractions of the site to potential occupiers is the fact that it is connected directly to the rail network, with several existing tenants already taking advantage of this rail connection.

Ian Romano of St Modwen said: “The high level of take-up at Heartlands Park is proof that, despite the current economic slowdown, well located, well managed and well-priced space is still in good demand in the Midlands.

“However, the threat of the HS2 rolling stock depot is still hanging over the long-term development of the site and will jeopardise potentially thousands of jobs. We hope there will be a major re-think on the location for the depot.”

HS2 Ltd has yet to complete a full assessment of other locations for the rolling stock depot, although various suitable alternative sites have been identified that offer the operational benefits HS2 requires.

St Modwen stresses it fully supports the wider HS2 project because of the positive impact it will have on the local economy.