Council leader joins HS2 taskforce
THE leader of Sheffield City Council has been appointed to the Government’s HS2 Growth Taskforce Group.
Councillor Julie Dore joins figures including Sir Howard Bernstein, music impressario Peter Waterman and Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge. 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.
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.
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.”
