Chamber reiterates HS2 call amid reports eastern leg could be scrapped

Scrapping the eastern leg of HS2 would make a mockery of the government 's pledge to level up the country, business leaders said today.

It comes after reports over the weekend that the section of the high-speed rail route running to Leeds could be halted to save £40bn.

An anonymous source was also quoted saying: “There 's no way we 're going to see this built in our lifetimes. ”

However, the Department for Transport denied a decision has been made and said it would soon released its much-delayed integrated rail plan to set out the way forward for major rail projects - including Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Midlands Rail Hub.

In July, the government requested HS2 Ltd - the company set up in 2009 to develop, build and operate HS2 -pause work on the eastern leg but proceed with development of the western section from Crewe to Manchester.

A western leg bill is being prepared for deposit to parliament in early 2022, according to HS2 Ltd.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has continually urged government to ensure the high-speed rail network is delivered in full - and has reiterated those calls following the reports this weekend.

Chief executive Henrietta Brealey said the project is integral to levelling up the country.

She said: “The leaks coming out of Whitehall over the weekend regarding the eastern leg of HS2 are deeply concerning given the fact that the Transport Secretary emphasised back in May that the project would be delivered in full.

“To be frank, scrapping the eastern leg of HS2 would make a mockery of the Government 's pledge to level up the country given the economic, ecological and practical benefits delivering the project in full will bring.

“The full HS2 network will serve over 25 stations, support half a million jobs and replace millions of car journeys ever year by 2050 - in essence freeing up much need capacity on our outmoded networks.

“We 've also seen first-hand in Greater Birmingham the private sector investment which has been secured off the back of HS2 and the local economic plans which are predicated on its arrival - many of which are for areas which have suffered from decades of underinvestment.

“Let 's also not forget that the second part of the programme will connect Birmingham to other major towns and cities across the country and allow our businesses to access new domestic and international markets - the need for which has become even more paramount as we emerge from the pandemic.
“We would urge policymakers in Westminster to use the upcoming release of the much delayed Integrated Rail Plan to reaffirm commitment to delivering HS2 in full - otherwise the pledge to build back better and delivering prosperity across England will seem rather empty. ”