Cities must work together to maximise HS2 benefits
SECRETARY of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin launched a new report into the regeneration and transport benefits of highspeed rail on May 16.
Authored by the Independent Transport Commission (ITC), High Speed Rail & Connected Cities examines experience gained in Europe, and explores how towns and cities on the route can maximise the wider benefits from HS2.
The report says that while Greater Manchester is “ahead of the game” in preparing for HS2, Greater Birmingham and the West Midlands face “significant challenges in effectively integrating HS2 with local and regional transport”.
It argues that Leeds and West Yorkshire can strengthen its position as a connection hub between the UK and mainland Europe, that Sheffield needs to have strong local and regional transport to feed into HS2, and that Crewe must “intensify and improve the region’s local connectivity” given the disparate nature of settlements in the area.
At Toton, local transport improvements will also be needed to maximise the benefits of HS2. However, the report suggests that Old Oak Common is set to become one of the bestconnected development sites in the UK.
In order to capture value from HS2, the report recommends: the creation of an HS2 Cities Forum to share proposals and knowledge; an independent review of lessons learned from Phase 1 in order to plan Phase 2 effectively; a collaborative study to understand the future of the UK’s urban economy, including the relationships between the North, Midlands and London: and field visits for city leaders in order to learn how highspeed rail has been adopted successfully by cities elsewhere.
At the launch of the report in Leeds, McLoughlin said: “HS2 will bring transformational benefits to the economy of the whole country.
“It has the potential to generate jobs, stimulate growth, and provide the vital capacity and increased connectivity to help rebalance our economy. That is why it’s crucial that cities and regions along the route take full advantage and develop plans that will attract investment and help people access jobs.
“We have already seen places like Birmingham, Solihull and London set out ambitious plans. Meanwhile major companies are choosing to locate in HS2 cities. We know that good transport doesn’t just help people get around, it helps them get on.”
McLoughlin was backed by National Infrastructure Commission Chairman Andrew Adonis, who said: “There is no reason why our great cities in Britain cannot enjoy the same benefits from high-speed rail that cities in other countries around the world have enjoyed.
“I recommend that our great cities and their citizens use this ITC report to help plan for the arrival of HS2, ensuring that this major investment better enables our cities to compete on a global stage to the benefit of all.”