Leaders urge government to commit to Doncaster for HS2 college
BUSINESS leaders in South Yorkshire are urging the government to commit to the North by basing the High Speed Rail College in Doncaster.
The comments follow the government’s decision to base the headquarters for construction of the HS2 high speed 2 rail line in Birmingham.
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “If the government wants to build a northern powerhouse and rebalance the national economy, it needs to deliver this on the ground. Basing the HS2 educational facility in Yorkshire will show they are true to their word.
“Its latest decision to put the HS2 headquarters in Birmingham supports the Midlands and shows how they are devolving power from the capital. Choosing Doncaster for High Speed Rail College will balance the benefits of HS2 and be the catalyst for transformational growth in the rail and engineering sector across the region and the North.
“Support for Doncaster’s bid has been staggering from towns and cities along the East Coast Mainline and leading industry figures across Yorkshire and the North-East. If it is committed to boosting the northern economy, the Government must act and back Yorkshire’s bid.”
James Newman, chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership, welcomed the decision to base the HS2 headquarters outside of London and urged the Government to continue to spread the benefits.
“The Government is proving that it is serious about spreading the benefits of High Speed Rail and we welcome this announcement to bring the HS2 HQ to the Midlands. Congratulations to GBSLEP on this tremendous success and the 1,500 jobs it will mean for their City Region,” he said.
“I am very hopeful that the next significant HS2 announcement will be to name Doncaster in the Sheffield City Region as the home of the new High Speed Rail College. This will bring skills and job opportunities to the North and spread the benefits of HS2 away from the line itself.
“Support for Sheffield City Region’s bid has been overwhelming, with backing from private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnerships from across the north and Yorkshire.”
The bid is private sector led by the Centre for Rail Engineering And Technical Excellence (CREATE), coordinated by Doncaster Council and supported by Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
The decision from the advisory group consisting of representatives from Crossrail, HS2 Limited, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Transport is expected shortly. Doncaster is up against Birmingham, Derby and Manchester for the research and teaching centre.
