Chamber calls for clear and cost-effective plan to get HS2 back on track

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham today called on Government to put HS2 back on track with a “clear and cost-effective plan” – as the high-speed rail line faces yet another delay.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament that the opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond the target date of 2033.

But Ms Alexander is not expected to say when the route will finally start operating.

She will release two reports into HS2 in a bid to “draw a line in the sand” and mark a government reset in how major infrastructure is delivered.

Under the original plans, HS2 was intended to create high-speed rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England.

It was designed to cut journey times and expand capacity on the railways, but has faced several challenges as well as rising costs in the 16 years since it was first proposed.

HS2 was originally expected to open in 2026 but the date was pushed back on several occasions – while plans for the northern leg were scrapped altogether.

However, HS2 has brought economic benefits to the West Midlands – with 1,870 previously unemployed people involved in the project, as well as 710 apprentices.

Over 3,500 businesses have also delivered work on HS2 so far.

Raj Kandola, acting deputy CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This latest setback is hugely frustrating but not surprising given the ongoing reports about the overall cost of delivering HS2.

“Here in Greater Birmingham, we have already seen the impact HS2 has had in driving investor confidence across the region, as well as the thousands of jobs and apprenticeships that have been created.

“Businesses want to see Government take control of the situation and deliver a clear and cost-effective plan to get the project back on track.

“They must not lose sight of the wider socio-economic benefits and the transformational impact HS2 will bring if delivered properly.”