Thousands to be spent on HS2 lobbying campaign

COUNCILS ARE to spend thousands of pounds promoting the benefits of the planned high speed rail line to Yorkshire despite the Government’s firm commitment to the project.

Leeds City Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Sheffield City Region group of authorities have already backed the lobbying effort.

The HS2 East campaign currently has a £50,000 budget but supporting organisations are being asked to contribute £25,000 each to support its work.

A report presented to the Sheffield City Region Combined Au- thority said the campaign was designed to “influence the Comprehensive Spending Review and HS2 briefings to new ministers”.

The lobbying is considered necessary despite the Conservatives’ manifesto commitment to HS2 and a promise from David Cameron during the election campaign to build the Leeds to Sheffield stretch earlier.

Sheffield City Region Combined Authority chairman Sir Steve Houghton said it would “promote the hugely positive impact that the Eastern leg of HS2 will have on our city region economies.”