Insider Media Limited

The debate over HS2 - the high-speed rail line that would link Birmingham and London in 49 minutes - appears to be polarising with business interests in the 'yes' corner and opposition coming predominantly from those representing residents and the environment.

A special feature on the subject will appear in the June issue of Midlands Business Insider and it confirms that business opinion formers in the Birmingham area are foursquare behind the plans, which they see as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city and wider region.

Mark Smith, regional chairman of accountancy firm PwC, said: "I think it's a positive thing for the Midlands. I think that what has been unfortunate is that some of the debate has been in the wrong areas, such as improving speed or the aspirations of lots of people from London to come to Birmingham.

"I think this is a small and relatively unsophisticated part of the debate.

"Capacity is the key issue. It is about the broader aspects of the network. It’s about being part of a world class 21st century rail network linking us to all parts of the country and internationally."

Paul Kehoe, chief executive officer of Birmingham Airport, is in agreement. He said: "I believe this is a game changing opportunity for Birmingham and the Midlands."

Kehoe and his colleagues successfully lobbied for a station near the airport to be included in HS2 plans.

"We need integrated transport so that you suddenly get air, rail and road in one location. We’ll never get a better opportunity than this. The prize is to say you can land in the Midlands and be in London in 38 minutes. That’s quicker than travelling into London from Heathrow on the tube," he said.

“Capacity if the absolute key for me. We’ve got a Victorian transport system with freight going down it. We've spent money on the West Coast Main Line but we’ve only tinkered with the Victorian infrastructure."

But Jerry Marshall, chairman of AGAHST Federation (Action Groups Against High Speed Two) sees the HS2 plan as genuinely bad news.

"Why should it be different from HS1 in Kent: higher fares, slower and less frequent commuter services and commuters up in arms?" he asks.

"Only one-third of those forecast to use it are using it (7 million, not 21 million), and there has been no regeneration."

Marshall thinks it would especially bad for bypassed cities and towns such as Coventry, Stoke and Milton Keynes.

Nor does he accept the argument that current routes are facing huge capacity problems.

"Midland Mainline has only a 39 per cent load factor - if it was an airline it would have gone bust," he said.

The government’s consultation period on the high-speed rail proposals runs until 29 July. Construction is due to begin in 2017 with the first trains running by 2025. The estimated construction cost is £32bn.