Firth Rixson raises concerns over HS2 route
FORGINGS specialist Firth Rixson has spoken out against the proposed high-speed route through South Yorkshire but claims it has received assurances that its Meadowhall base will not be affected.
An announcement earlier this week by the Government revealed the northern route of the HS2 project will see five new stations created, one of which will miss Sheffield city centre but will be built at Meadowhall.
Although many members of the business community have hailed the positive economic impact HS2 will have, some feel it could adversely affect trade.
Engineering giant Firth Rixson has a number of sites close to Meadowhall and its chief financial officer, Peter Bland, said the company was concerned about the proposed route.
“We support the high-speed rail project and believe it will have important benefits for Sheffield, but we are not in favour of the proposed route.
“Fortunately, this is just the beginning of a long planning and consultation process. Construction of the line is not expected to commence for at least 10 years, and alternative routes will be identified and examined as part of the consultation process.
“Firth Rixson has already received strong assurances from Sheffield City Council and from the highest levels within Government that a solution will be found that ensures the Meadowhall site of Firth Rixson will not be adversely impacted in any way.
“It is business as usual at the Meadowhall site. Our customers will continue to receive the highest levels of service, and we are confident that the site will continue to benefit from the significant ongoing investments being made in its growth and development. We remain on plan to achieve our goal of doubling manufacturing capacity at the site by 2014.”
Firth Rixson serves customers worldwide in market sectors such as aerospace, defence, power generation and general industrial.
The company, owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners, operates 12 manufacturing facilities in North America, the UK, Europe and Asia.
