The Hitman and Sir Howard join HS2 taskforce
THREE senior North West figures, Sir Howard Bernstein, music impressario Peter Waterman and Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge, have been appointed to the Government’s HS2 Growth Taskforce Group.
Sir Howard, the long-serving chief executive of Manchester City Council, has been appointed deputy chair of the new group, which has been set up to maximise the economic benefits – including job creation – generated by the £50bn rail project.
Former ‘Hitman and Her’ star Waterman, who is a keen rail enthusiast, is already a member of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.
The taskforce is chaired by Commercial Secretary to the Treasury and former LOCOG boss Lord Deighton.
The government believes HS2 will be a key driver of jobs and growth. Independent analysis commissioned by Greengauge 21 predicts that HS2 is capable of generating up to 22,000 jobs in the next five years, rising to a maximum of 50,000 jobs by the late 2020s.
The new taskforce is seen as crucial in unlocking this potential. The full list of members is:
Lord Deighton, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (chair)
Sir Howard Bernstein, CEO Manchester City Council (deputy)
Sir Albert Bore, Leader Birmingham City Council
Sir John Rose, Deputy Chairman Rothschild Group
Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of TUC
Neale Coleman, Mayor of London’s Adviser on Olympic Legacy
Prof Tony Venables, Oxford University
Alison Nimmo, CEO Crown Estate
Pete Waterman, Cheshire and Warrington LEP
Cllr Julie Dore, Leader Sheffield City Council
Cllr Matthew Colledge, Leader of Trafford Council
Lorraine Baldry, Chair of London and Continental Railways
Lord Deighton said: “HS2 presents a massive opportunity to boost growth in regions across the UK and it’s vital that we talk to business leaders, public sector organisations, local government and the public about how we maximise the benefit to the whole of the country.
“I am delighted to have such a skilled team working with me on the HS2 taskforce. They know the huge benefits large scale infrastructure projects can bring if they are done in the right way.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin added: “HS2 is about far more than just a new railway, it provides a once in a generation opportunity to drive growth, generate jobs, and secure our country’s future prosperity.
“We have no choice but to address the increasing demands on our transport system that Britain will face in the next decade to be able to compete in the global economic race.”
