Business community told ‘Support HS2 or risk losing it’

BIRMINGHAM’S business community has been warned that unless it becomes more vocal in its support of plans to implement the £17bn High Speed Rail link then the project could be scrapped.

The wake-up call has been issued by Professor David Begg, director of the Campaign for High Speed Rail.

Professor Begg, who was visiting Birmingham to promote the HS2 link, said if the Government only heard from objectors then it may change its mind and withdraw support for the scheme.

“There are a number of erroneous statements masquerading as fact at the moment and it is important to rebut these myths,” he said.

“I have spent 12 years working alongside various politicians and I know they can bend with the breeze if they feel it is expedient, so if they only hear from objectors on this then that may influence what they do.

“I have gotten involved with this because I realise that if it is to happen then it will have to be worked for.”

Prof Begg said he was surprised by how poor existing rail connections were outside of London and in particular between Birmingham and other major cities such as Leeds and Manchester.

“This situation would not be allowed to happen in Europe, where high speed rail journeys between major cities are the norm,” he said.

“The introduction of high speed rail would also be significant because it would strengthen Birmingham’s position as the second city, which has been challenged by Manchester for some time.

“However, if the city is not prepared to back the bid then the scheme won’t happen.”

Prof Begg said the impact the rail link would have on the development of Birmingham Airport was also significant and reinforced the case for it to become London’s third airport.

“I think this situation should be viewed as a wake-up call for the people of Birmingham and my message is that they should not allow the opponents to win,” he said.

“For too long the opposition have been allowed to push misleading statistics and bogus exaggerations and while I can understand their objections, we must stress what’s important for the national economic interest.”