D2N2 LEP chief executive David Ralph has welcomed news of the HS2 Hybrid Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech that firmly puts the £33bn project on track.
It will give the government permission to build the line and the powers to operate it while the High Speed Rail Preparation Bill, which was also announced, will provide the financial powers to proceed with HS2 more quickly than otherwise possible.
It is welcome news for D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Mr Ralph said: “We are very supportive of HS2 and would encourage delivery of not only the first phase but the whole route as soon as possible.
“This is further positive news which we welcome and we look forward to the project being driven forward.
“HS2 won’t just transform the way we travel. It will also be a huge boost for our economy and if we want our businesses to compete in today’s global economy, the sooner we get quicker, more reliable connections to markets, suppliers and labour sources, the better. That is exactly what HS2 will deliver.”
Work on the £16.3bn first phase, from London to Birmingham, is expected to start in 2016/17 with the first trains expected to run around 2026.
The second phase, which will need separate legislation, will see trains running north of Birmingham on a Y-shaped route to Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield, and to Manchester via Crewe. This second phase is due to be completed around 2032/33.
