Commenting on the written ministerial statement on HS2 by the
Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Spicer, Director
of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“Business
communities up and down the country will be disappointed at the
prospect of having to wait longer to see the benefits of this
vital project. Yet we remain confident the long-term benefits
will be felt for generations,
and will far
outweigh the upfront costs.
“Of
course, no project should have a blank cheque, but HS2 is
a critical investment in the UK’s future. The UK’s
rail network is at capacity, with the full range of passenger and
freight services sharing the same tracks and vying for priority.
That’s why businesses – faced with ever-more unreliable
services and overcrowding – recognise and support the strong
economic case to deliver all phases of
HS2.
“There are
communities and
investors basing future development
plans and regeneration schemes around HS2.
Many jobs have already been created in advance of its anticipated
completion, and many thousands more will be created in the
future.
“HS2 is
critical to Northern Powerhouse Rail and other infrastructure
projects that will transform connectivity for local
communities, get freight off the roads, and link
up the country as a
whole. The start-stop
approach to big infrastructure initiatives in the UK only serves
to make it more difficult and expensive to provide better
services to our towns and cities. It’s time to get on and
deliver.”
