Stoke leaders urge Transport Secretary to give city fair hearing on HS2
COUNCIL leaders in Stoke-on-Trent have urged the Transport Secretary to give the city a fair hearing when he comes to determine the route of the HS2 high speed rail link.
Patrick McLoughlin and his advisors heard the plea when he met city council leader Mohammed Pervez, together with authority chief executive John van de Laarschot and Joan Walley MP in a visit to Stoke.
Cllr Pervez said the people of Stoke-on-Trent wanted to know the Government was taking the city’s alternative proposals seriously.
“We can deliver connections to Manchester and through to West Yorkshire seven years early. We can connect through to Liverpool, the North West and Wales. We can match and beat all other proposals on speed, cost and environmental impact,” he said.
“The Stoke-on-Trent option would deliver so much more for the national economy.”
Stoke city council believes HS2 offers the country a once in a lifetime opportunity to boost its national economy by connecting up the various centres of industry and maximising the nation’s economic capacity.
“This city region, perfectly placed between Manchester and Birmingham, is making massive strides in reviving its fortunes. The business community is investing. We are becoming a centre of learning and research. We are creating jobs. We are resurgent and the Government is recognising the city’s massive potential. What’s more we can grow without swallowing up green fields and carving up the countryside,” Cllr Pervez told the Minister.
“Meanwhile HS2 is working up the Crewe proposals. It is only right that Stoke-on-Trent gets the same level of attention and resourcing. To do otherwise would be a massive mistake for the nation, and for the tax payer.”
Ms Walley said that following the approval of the HS2 Bill by Parliament it was more important than ever that there should be a genuine and objective assessment of the route north of Birmingham, to Manchester and beyond.
“My plea to the Secretary of State is that they focus full resources on the Stoke case, on a par with those being committed to develop the Crewe proposals. We have to ensure a fair appraisal of the full environmental costs and economic benefits for the people of North Staffordshire and to the nation as a whole,” she said
Mr McLoughlin said he was impressed by the amount of work the city had done.
“The proposals will be rigorously and fully assessed as part of the consultation process along with all the other proposals. I hope to be able to make the decision by the end of the year,” he said.
