Confirmation ‘could help to safeguard the future of British Steel’

CONFIRMATION THAT the HS2 high-speed rail project is to go ahead could help safeguard the future of British Steel, it has been claimed.

Dr Jonathan Owens, from the University of Salford Business School, said the announcement represented a huge opportunity for the steel industry, and that the 170 tonnes of steel needed for its construction could be produced domestically.

He said: “It would make sense for this plant to be the main supplier. Buying raw material from overseas is a waste of time, money and effort, as well as increasing the supply chain cost by up to 30 per cent.”

The go-ahead for HS2 received a warm welcome across the business community, who said the project can create jobs and lead to fresh investment, with Britain’s biggest business organisation, the CBI, saying it sent a message the UK was “open for business”.

The CBI’s chief UK policy director, Matthew Fell, said: “HS2 shows the government’s commitment to levelling up the nations and regions of the UK. The project will bring jobs, new homes, skills and investment to the areas of the country that need them most.

“Once built, HS2 will bring much-needed capacity to our railways and help to realise the Government’s promise of an ‘infrastructure revolution’ for the North, Midlands and beyond.”

Logistics firm ParcelHero said HS2 could mean more parcels being moved by rail, taking traffic off the road network.

The head of consumer services, David Jinks, said: “Consumers are pressing for more sustainable delivery choices and getting packages and parcels off the road and onto rail is a very environmentally friendly option.

“HS2 undoubtedly clears the way for more post office mailings to be switched from road and back on track.”

And Roger Marsh, the chairman of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, praised the news that the project would extend to Yorkshire, following speculation it would be halted at Birmingham.