Lords’ HS2 Report: Chamber Reaction

Commenting on the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report into High Speed 2, Gerald Jennings, Chair of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This part of the world is in desperate need of need of major rail investment which will bring about transformational change in our rail network and the Chamber is pleased that the report recognises this. The existing network has not really changed since it was built by the Victorians yet we expect it to provide more and more services. It simply can’t meet current and future demands which is why we must build new lines. HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) will deliver this transformational change and help unlock economic growth and better connect businesses, employers and consumers benefitting not just in Leeds and York but across the whole of the UK. It is not a choice between one project above another, the north needs investment across the network so that local, regional, and national services meet future needs. “Already in Leeds we are seeing millions of pounds of new investment into the city and some of this can be attributed to the likelihood of HS2 coming to the city. Even more investment will come to the city and beyond once there is certainty about the project and that is why the Chamber expects government to confirm its commitment to the whole HS2 route at the next Spending Review, and for other vital infrastructure projects , including Northern Powerhouse Rail.”