POLITICS
A potential leadership battle could be a threat to the future of HS2
But the biggest boost to the region would
come from development around Toton. Although not yet legally committed to Toton –
legislation to approve the extensions to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds has been delayed until 2020 – but seeking to maximise the opportunity regeneration of the area offers, the Government committed £2m to the East Midlands Development Corporation (EMDC), a public and private sector partnership. Led by Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine for Growth, the EMDC is drawing up regeneration plans for an area stretching from the soon-to-be-decommissioned Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, through Toton and including East Midlands Airport and the huge strategic rail freight interchange that abuts the airport on its northern boundary. “Housing, new industry, thousands of jobs,
improved air routes and better transport links between Nottingham and Derby are just a part of the transformation that the station hub at Toton will bring,” said Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at the Chamber. He added: “The Chamber welcomed much of
this report and shares the frustration that the public conversation to date has focused solely
on speed. HS2, delivered in full, will be transformational for the East Midlands economy, better connecting us to other major hubs across the UK and freeing up vital capacity on the wider road and rail networks, keeping our businesses competitive as they continue to make and move products and people across the UK and beyond. “For the East Midlands, the project has always
been about much more than just a railway line connecting north to south. “It has brought together businesses, schools,
colleges and universities to look at future skills development in a way that no other initiative has managed previously. It has spurred additional investment into the more local and regional infrastructure we need to deliver its full benefits. And it has created opportunities in the here-and- now for our businesses, winning contracts to deliver HS2 for the whole country. “As with any major infrastructure project it’s important that costs are controlled. It’s also important that the wider discussion about HS2 moves on from getting people from A to B quicker than they already do and focuses instead on the transformational benefits that HS2 will bring to the UK economy.”
‘HS2, delivered in full, will be transformational for the East Midlands economy, better connecting us to other major hubs across the UK’
However, in February the Financial Times
reported an additional threat to HS2 in the guise of the leadership battle to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister. Several of the candidates – interestingly, all of
whom might be described as favouring a ‘harder Brexit’ – are not fans of HS2. Boris Johnson (favourite in the Conservative
Party leadership fight), Andrea Leadsom, Liz Truss and David Lidington were all against HS2 according to the FT and Michael Gove had indicated he would “rethink” the project while Esther McVey described it as “a huge waste” of taxpayers’ money. Conversely, other Ministers, including Amber
Rudd and Philip Hammond, have both spoken out publicly in favour of the project. Scott added: “Whatever does or doesn’t
happen with Brexit over the coming months, it’s essential that as a country we send strong signals out about the kind of place we want to be. A country that takes bold action to invest in its infrastructure and attract business and wider investment is something that business and public should be able to get behind. “While recognising that some people don’t
want HS2, we believe the benefits outweigh the costs and would urge Government – and whomever replaces Theresa May – to commit to HS2 Phase 2B sooner rather than later so that those benefits can be maximised as soon as possible.”
business network June 2019 45
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