Business leaders call on HS2 to be delivered in full as second phase receives Royal Assent
The second phase of high speed train project, HS2, has received Royal Assent.
The move means the line from Birmingham to Crewe will be built – with business leaders now calling for a commitment from the Government to decide on the future of the Phase 2b project – or the Eastern leg as it has become known.
Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect
Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect, said: “[This] historic milestone will be music to the ears of businesses, investors and travellers alike. It’s heartening to see progress being made, Government must now work to ensure this momentum is maintained and that construction is started on the Birmingham to Crewe leg as soon as possible.”
“While Phases One and 2a are moving ahead apace, and have created thousands of highly-skilled jobs, apprenticeships and unprecedented regeneration, it is essential that an decision is made on the scope of Phase 2b of the project, especially the Eastern Leg of the route between Birmingham, the East Midlands, Chesterfield, Sheffield and Leeds. Any further delay will cause uncertainty at a time where business confidence and job security have been shaken by COVID-19.
“We in the Midlands and North are clear, we need the whole of the HS2 network to be delivered, in full.”
The future of HS2 Phase 2b – which will connect Birmingham and Leeds via a new East Midlands station in Toton and Sheffield – is uncertain after the National Infrastructure Commission recommended a scaled-back version of this line to stop at East Midlands Parkway station.
Meanwhile, Chris Hobson, director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber, warned the Government that failure to back the Eastern Leg of the high-speed rail line would affect sentiment in the region – with “tangible knock-on impacts” that would “stifle” job creation and economic growth.
He said: “It has a massive impact and I’d turn it the other way around to say that a lack of investment knocks confidence.
“It’s fantastic news that HS2 Phase 2a has been granted royal assent but there’s still uncertainty in the East Midlands about what’s going to happen to Phase 2b.
“That has a knock-on impact on confidence. When I speak to particularly our larger members, when they assess their asset plans in their various estates, they’re looking over decades rather than years.
“They want to know what the future holds and it’s really important the Government and policymakers don’t underestimate the impact of continually putting off decisions or making firm commitments to projects like this.”
