The government has today announced the northern HS2 routes. The Rail Forum Midlands (RFEM) welcomed today’s announcement. Paul Francis, chair of the Rail Forum said “The East Midlands rail industry welcomes today’s announcement. Our members and the wider supply chain see the Eastern extension to HS2 as a vote of confidence in rail as a means of stimulating economic growth across the UK.
“Our member companies are ready to supply innovative products and services to HS2. We urge government to progress quickly with the first stage of the HS2 scheme so that the supply chain can recruit and develop the skills necessary to build Britain’s newest railway”.
Please find below, a press release from the East Midlands Councils regarding the route announcement.
Release Date: 15th November 2016
HS2: BRING IT ON!
Council Leaders have strongly welcomed today’s announcement confirming the route of the new high speed rail line linking Birmingham with Leeds via the East Midlands – including a Hub Station at Toton near Nottingham, a Maintenance Depot at Staveley in Derbyshire and provision for high speed trains serving Chesterfield.
Today’s announcement will be followed later this week by the publication of the East Midlands Emerging HS2 Growth Strategy – which sets out proposals from local partners to use HS2 to create an additional 74,000 jobs in the East Midlands and give a £4 billion boost to our economy.
The East Midlands will form part of the ‘Eastern Leg’ of HS2 which will also link Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds with London, and via a link to the East Coast Main Line, the North East and Scotland – serving 15 million people including six of the UKs top ten cities and an economy worth over £320 billion.
Cllr Jon Collins, Chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board and Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:
“I am delighted about today’s announcement. HS2 will transform connectivity between our local economies and those of the West Midlands, the North of England and Scotland – as well as London and the South East. It will open up new opportunities for jobs and growth, including in our world class rail engineering sector and for firms working in the construction industry. There is also the potential to run high speed trains from Leicester via the Hub Station to Leeds and Manchester – provided that the Midland Mainline is electrified.
Cllr Anne Western, Vice Chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board and Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said:
“The proposals for serving Chesterfield Station with high speed trains is a game-changer for the Derbyshire economy. As a result journey times to London will reduced to just 71 minutes, supporting growth and investment in the town and boosting our vibrant visitor economy. Together with the maintenance depot of Staveley, HS2 will significantly improve job opportunities for local people – although we will also have to make sure the environmental impacts are minimised.
Further information on HS2 is available from EMC’s Director of Policy & Infrastructure andrew.pritchard@emcouncils.gov.uk.
End of text.
Notes to Editors
· East Midlands Councils is the consultative forum for local authorities in the region. It provides support to Councils to improve their services and is a strong voice for the East Midlands. www.emcouncils.gov.uk. EMC provides the secretariat for the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board.
· East Midlands Hub Station will be the most connected HS2 station outside of London, with a minimum of 7 HS2 trains an hour (4 from London via Birmingham Interchange, 3 from Birmingham Curzon Street).
· It will also have 2 classic rail platforms that will connect to the existing rail network. Through the addition of a ‘classic compatible link’ there is the potential to run HS2 trains from Leicester via the Hub Station to Leeds and Manchester – although this will require an electrified Midland Mainline.
· The Hub Station will have a direct connection to the A52 and to the Nottingham Tram system. There is potential to extend tram connectivity to Derby and Derbyshire.
· In addition to the Hub Station, it is proposed that Chesterfield will have a ‘classic compatible’ HS2 service, and to build an HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance depot at Staveley.
· As well as employment land at the Hub Station and at the Staveley Depot, there are also development opportunities in Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Loughborough and at East Midlands Airport that could benefit from HS2 – plus major regeneration sites such as the former Stanton Iron Works, Chetwynd Barracks and the existing Enterprise Zones.
· Councils, Local Enterprise Partnerships and the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce are working together to develop a Growth Strategy to maximise the local economic benefits of the HS2. The initial work suggests that an additional 74,000 jobs could be created. For more information please visit: http://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/HS2.
ENDS.
All news releases can be viewed at http://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/Press-releasesNews and Press Releases from East Midlands Councils
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