A group of business leaders and wider key institutions in the North and Midlands have wriiten to the Chancellor on the need for a replacement for HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester.
Doing nothing they say risked the Midlands in effect being cut off from northern cities.
In the letter they say that “The strategic value and return on investment for this project are clear: it stands to unlock up to £70 billion in economic growth annually, contributing substantially to regional economies and providing a robust financial return to the Treasury.
They add that should the decision rightly be made to proceed with HS2 to Euston, “we believe that this must be accompanied by a broader commitment to extending the benefits of that infrastructure investment to the regions alongside the full delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail.”
The letter adds that The Staffordshire and Cheshire connectors are not just a transport project but a strategic investment that will deliver the long-term growth the Government seeks to champion.
“By connecting Birmingham directly into the East to West Northern Powerhouse Rail network through a more cost-effective and deliverable rail link, this project will deliver 85% of the benefits of HS2 Phase 2b at just 60-75% of the cost.”
