Prime Minister urged to reject HS2 downgrade

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham say delivering HS2 in full remains “the only option on the table ” after the Government was urged to reject calls to downgrade the eastern leg.

A National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) report proposed terminating the high-speed rail line in Nottinghamshire as one of a series of options.

However, the leaders of three councils have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stating doing so “would be a devastating outcome ” for cities and communities where the line was due to go.

The letter is signed by Nottinghamshire County Council leader Kay Cutts, Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake and Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has repeatedly called for the project to be delivered in full and chief executive Paul Faulkner says the proposal to downgrade Phase 2 is “shortsighted ”.

Mr Faulkner said: “The interim report published by the National Infrastructure Commission before Christmas contained a number of pertinent suggestions around tackling regional inequalities and improving our transport networks.

“Recognising the importance of improving rail connectivity across the Midlands and the North in order to drive the 'levelling up ' agenda was welcomed along with the call for Government to commit to delivering a fully costed pipeline of core investments underpinned by a clear focus on environmental sustainability.

“Nevertheless, the proposed option of downgrading the eastern leg of Phase 2 of HS2 seems short-sighted at best and simply undermines the ambition to bring prosperity to all parts of the country.

“In particular, the methodology used by the NIC to justify this option will simply reinforce regional inequalities as opposed to tackling them - as we emerge from this pandemic, we need a coherent, systemic project which not only delivers thousands of jobs and supply chain opportunities, but also helps unlock investment in towns and cities which have been crying out for support for decades.

“Put simply delivering HS2 in full is the only option on the table if the Government is serious in its claims to build back better and emerge from this awful crisis on a much surer footing. ”

• Meanwhile, HS2 has revealed new designs for two viaducts near the village of Water Orton in Warwickshire - including new landscaped areas that will provide green public spaces and wildlife habitats.

In Spring 2020, HS2 held a public consultation on the design of the Water Orton viaducts, and much of the feedback focused on improving the landscape around the structure of the railway.

Suggestions included creating a green space for the village which could provide a recreational area and an observation spot to view wildlife, as well as a pathway for walking and cycling.

As a result, HS2 's landscape architects and engineers from Systra and Mott MacDonald working closely with architects Weston Williamson + Partners have developed new plans for an area that will include tree planting and new wildlife habitats with an opportunity, subject to local interest, for a community orchard or area of allotments.

This section of the route is known as the Delta Junction, a triangular section of line where the new railway curves west towards Birmingham and runs north towards Crewe and beyond.

The Water Orton viaducts link the curve that heads west towards Birmingham with the main line heading north and are needed to carry the railway across a network of existing motorways, roads and footpaths.

The area between the two viaducts will be re-designed to provide bigger, better more joined up habitats such as species rich grasslands and native species tree planting.

Pictured: An artist's impression of the new green public spaces at Water Orton