“The future of HS2 is critical to the North and the Midlands”. That is the message in a letter with more than 100 signatories sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for HS2 to be delivered in full.
The letter signed by business leaders says that failure to deliver the multi billion pound scheme would be a “massive missed opportunity to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, attract major investment and stimulate huge economic growth to create a more balanced, fairer economy”.
It says: “As business leaders, we are clear – the scale of the opportunities a High Speed North and Midlands network would create are only possible if HS2 is delivered in full. While we are heartened to see the progress that has been made on the Western leg, the commitment to the Eastern leg is far less apparent since HS2 Ltd stopped work on it over a year ago. On the East, the delivery of HS2 and supporting investments would lead to approximately 150,000 additional jobs in Leeds City Region, Sheffield City Region and the East Midlands region. Each year of delay costs the North & Midlands £4.9bn – growth is being held back by uncertainty.”
Among those signing the letter includes Co-op CEO Steve Murrells, Mace Group CE Mark Reynolds, CEO of Arcadis Mark Cowlard, and the Vice-Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Juergen Maier.
The letter concludes: “The Integrated Rail Plan is your chance to move on from COVID to what the future of the UK should look like. Levelling up parts of the country that have seen traditional and considerable underinvestment, and that would benefit from a plan for growth. The opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to HS2 in full is within your grasp. Businesses in the North and the Midlands stand ready to capitalise on the opportunities an integrated high speed network would provide and help rebuild the economy. This decision is vital to the future of this country, and it rests with you now.”
Photo credit: HS2 Ltd
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