West Midlands business leaders urge Prime Minister not to curtail HS2

Group of senior figures write to Rishi Sunak saying cutting northern leg between Birmingham and Manchester would be 'an appalling dereliction of responsibility'

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Economic Development

Tamlyn JonesBusiness Reporter

12:15, 27 SEP 2023
Updated12:18, 27 SEP 2023

West Midlands business leaders have written to the Prime Minister urging him not to scrap the northern leg of HS2 (Image: Alstom Design & Styling 2019/PA Wire)

A host of senior business leaders from across the West Midlands have today written to the Prime Minister urging him not to cut back on plans for HS2.

The letter insists curtailing the high-speed rail network would be "an appalling dereliction of responsibility".

It adds that it will hold back the economic growth of the Midlands and the North and fail to fix the ��Ƶ's long-term capacity and levelling up challenges.

The letter has been penned by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and signed by business figures from a broad range of sectors.

It comes following widespread reports that Rishi Sunak could scrap the northern section of HS2, between Birmingham, Crewe and Manchester, and halt the southern section at Old Oak Common in West London instead of running into Euston station.

The Government has not dismissed the stories, with some reports saying the Prime Minister "always listens to both sides of the debate" ahead of making any decisions.

HS2: Timeline of controversial project since plans emerged in 2009

Construction work on phase one of the line, between London, Solihull and Birmingham, along with three new stations and expansion of Euston, is well under way.

The letter spells out the economic impact HS2 has already had on the West Midlands, with an estimated 8,000 people and 400 businesses working on the project.

It also highlights the potential benefits the full network could bring for passengers, freight and local train services.

Business leaders in the North West have similarly written to the Prime Minister as Manchester prepares to welcome the 2023 Conservative Party Conference from Sunday.

In 2021, the eastern leg between Birmingham, the East Midlands and Leeds was scrapped, in favour of HS2 trains switching to conventional rail lines near Nottingham.

Greater Birmingham Chamber chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: "We are absolutely astounded there has been serious consideration of reducing HS2 down to Old Oak Common to Birmingham Curzon Street.

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"This stunted vision would deliver all of the pain for almost none of the gain for those on the phase one route. The business case on capacity, connectivity and resilience requires the full network.

"It would be a colossal waste of money, undermine investor confidence and tear up transport and regeneration plans that have been years in the making and, in many cases, are mid delivery.

"Businesses and investors make decisions for the long term and rely on being able to trust governments to deliver on their commitments to plan effectively.

"With many investors, as seen in the recent making decisions predicated on its arrival, it would be an appalling dereliction of responsibility to abandon it now.

"It is critical the Government hears and responds to the business voice on HS2 and delivers the remaining HS2 network in full - from Euston to Manchester and Leeds."