Plans to bring high-speed rail to Birmingham will bring much-needed jobs and investment to the whole of the West Midlands region, the House of Commons transport select committee has been told.
High-speed rail, combined with regional rail improvements, will bring 22,000 jobs to the region and a boost of around £1.5 billion per year to the region’s economy.
High-speed rail will also provide 1,500 permanent operational jobs, including 300 jobs at the train depot in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, one of the region’s most socially deprived areas.
The written submission to the select committee also outlines the environmental and economic benefits of the Birmingham Interchange link, which improves journey times and connectivity with Birmingham Airport.
The improved access will provide an alternative for passengers who would have otherwise travelled to airports outside the region, like Heathrow.
High-speed rail will also free-up capacity on existing lines so there would be an increase in the number of services to regional stations including Wolverhampton, Coventry and Walsall.
Current proposals for High Speed Two are for a Y-shaped route, connecting London with Birmingham and then branching off to Manchester and Leeds.
A new terminus will be built next to Birmingham’s Bullring and Moor Street station.
“The West Midlands region will benefit from links to Europe as well as London and other major cities in the UK," said Angus Adams, chair of Centro. "This connectivity will help to attract global and national companies to invest here, ensuring jobs and opportunities right across our region.
“We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to bring high-speed rail to the West Midlands and I would urge people across the region to have their say. This is about creating jobs and building for future generations.”
The Government's high-speed rail consultation runs until July 29. Visit the Department for Transport website to have your say: http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/
Information from Go-HS2 which is an alliance of West Midlands businesses, business organisations and public sector bodies supporting high-speed rail which includes Centro, the NEC Group, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Business Birmingham, Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.