Member Article

NECC Joins Forces to Press Chancellor on HS2

Chambers of Commerce representing more than 11,000 businesses in the North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire have today written a joint letter to the Treasury, urging Chancellor George Osborne to bring forward the confirmation and delivery of the Eastern Leg of HS2.

The letter, which has been signed by NECC Chief Executive James Ramsbotham and fellow chief executives from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Doncaster, Sheffield, and Bradford, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire, says it’s imperative that Government confirms the route as quickly as possible and accelerates its delivery plans.

On Monday the Chancellor said that HS2 is “the great engineering project of our age and it will transform the economic geography of our country.”

He also said that it will “bring massive benefits by way of new jobs, enhanced connectivity, capacity and regeneration.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin yesterday (2 Jun) said that the HS2 project will begin within two years and will be constructed in full, after the general election had delivered a “massive vote of confidence” in the scheme.

The areas along the proposed Eastern Leg of HS2 are already home to some of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative manufacturing and engineering firms, and also boast a strong professional services sector in their cities, a thriving construction sector and a burgeoning creative industries sector, among others.

The letter states that improving links between these businesses will allow them to exploit the benefits of agglomeration, boost success in these key sectors and help to forge an economy that is truly balanced, both geographically and sectorally.

The increased productivity and competitiveness which the HS2 Eastern Leg will facilitate could also bolster growth locally and support long-term international success.

James Ramsbotham, NECC Chief Executive said: “HS2 is a transformational project and represents a huge opportunity for the North East.

“Addressing looming capacity constraints on north-south rail routes and improving connectivity is essential for North East businesses and a new high speed line is an important part of that. HS2 needs to be complemented by important upgrades on the East Coast Main Line, and measures such as the reinstatement of the Leamside Line, to ensure it delivers maximum benefits for the North East.

“As representatives of more than 11,000 businesses along the proposed eastern leg, we are calling on the Chancellor to proceed to delivery of HS2 without delay, ensuring the legal framework is completed as soon as possible.

“The creation of a new economic powerhouse in the north places further emphasis on ensuring north-to-south connectivity for our region. The North East is a critical part of the UK’s economy and if we are to be at the forefront of a Northern Powerhouse, our region must be better connected.

“Uncertainty kills confidence so it is imperative that Government confirms the route as soon as possible and that delivery plans are accelerated to maximise the business benefits which come with creating a national rail network that can compete with the best in the world and create the opportunities needed for long term economic growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Laura Facey .