HS2 benefits must reach everyone, says Business Voice
The government must to ensure that the benefits of high-speed rail (HS2) are “spread as widely as possible”, Business Voice WM has warned. The lobbying group’s comments come after the re-working of the HS2 line was revealed by the transport secretary Philip Hammond.
The high-speed rail line will link London with Birmingham and the north of England.
James Watkins, BVWM executive director, said: “The high speed line would be the biggest civil engineering project the West Midlands has seen since Spaghetti Junction was opened in 1972.
“If this line is to go ahead it is absolutely essential for rural businesses to be properly compensated where they are adversely affected by its construction. And plans must be put in place for every part of the Midlands to benefit from the international connectivity it will bring.
“It is also important to hear from the government at the earliest possible opportunity how the pending freeing up of capacity on the West Coast Main Line, as a result of the potential existence of the high speed network, will improve rail services for critical stations like Stoke-on-Trent.”
