HS2 announcement: Chamber Reaction

Chamber Reaction to Government announcement on HS2 “We firmly believe that HS2 is essential to assist the future growth and advancement of the Northern economy.  It will help reduce the disparity between north and south, improve connectivity and enhance rail capacity on the network.  HS2 should be seen as an investment in the country’s future prospects and ambitions. “We hope that the review into Stage 2 will re-affirm our belief in the scheme.  We acknowledge that there have been difficult decisions to make and that the scheme has attracted its doubters, but we hope that it can now continue to press ahead. “Also, it remains important that the North’s other transformational transport project – Northern Powerhouse Rail (sometimes called HS3) – is not compromised as these two schemes together go hand-in-glove towards better connecting our region to the rest of the country.  The Prime Minister and the Government need to deliver on their previous commitments to levelling the playing field of regional economic growth.”