Chances of HS2 reaching region are ‘fifty-fifty’ says MP
CONSERVATIVE MP Darren Henry believes the chances of HS2 passing through the East Midlands on its eastern leg are in the balance.
The member for Broxtowe says he is doing everything he can to ensure the high speed line comes through Toton, which falls in his constituency.
Currently the high speed route will run from London to Birmingham before splitting into a Y-shape, with the western leg going to Manchester and the eastern leg going to Leeds.
There has been mounting speculation over the eastern leg of
HS2, with one unnamed Whitehall source recently claiming money had “run out” for the project.
Plans for the eastern leg, which include a hub at Toton Sidings, are currently up for review - with a decision expected later this year.
Mr Henry said: “Coming to my constituency, what I’m gunning for is get HS2 right in the middle of it, in Toton. The decision for that will be in the Integrated Rail Plan which will be announced in the autumn - I think it will be leaked with the comprehensive spending review. We might know at the end of September, but it could be October.
“In my honest opinion, I think it’s 50/50 on whether we get it. But this recent press speculation is just speculation. No decision has been made yet. I’m pushing all the time for it. When I went in for the Afghanistan debate I saw Rishi Sunak out of the corner of my eye behind the Speaker’s chair so I dashed out to speak to him.
“I gave him a little pitch, I take every opportunity. Because I know it’s going to come down to the
Treasury. I think, to be honest, speaking to the Prime Minister, he’s very on board with all of this. But at the end of the day we’ve got to pay for how much we’ve spent on Covid and there are going to be some tough decisions the Government is going to have to make.
“Any responsible government is going to have to make those decisions but I’m going to be looking to make those savings elsewhere. I’m making my point because of the development opportunities that are here.”