Companies hear life peer’s case for HS2 plan

Representatives from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and 40 companies travelled to London to meet Lord Adonis, who was the Secretary of State for Transport when plans for the new high-speed rail system were released.

The results of a survey conducted by the Chamber before the meeting showed around half of the companies were still unsure as to the economic benefits HS2 would bring.

Louise Bennett, the Chamber’s chief executive, said: “We have met several key figures who have tried to put the case for HS2 across but have struggled to get the message over to businesses.

“Lord Adonis gave a very clear and definite message that this was the right way forward for the UK.

“Businesses still have concerns but at least the case from Lord Adonis means firms can start to formulate a more informed opinion on whether they are against it or not.”

Lord Adonis said that upgrading the UK’s current rail system would cost more than HS2 but would only offer an increase in capacity by two thirds of that which the high-speed plan would provide.

He also said connectivity would be improved - not only in London but to the East Midlands, the north and Scotland.

Lord Adonis said: “The Coalition Government has maintained its support for the High Speed line which, I believe, says a great deal. In many cases, political parties magnify the differences and that can mean ripping up all the work done by their predecessors and starting again.

“That hasn’t happened in this case, which is rather telling. I have looked through the survey by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber and I don’t think I have to make a case for rail itself.

“The fundamental case for HS2 is not about speed, it’s about capacity. The case for speed begins to grow when you go further north and into Scotland.

“But in terms of capacity, we are now at record numbers of rail users and capacity on the West Coast mainline will be exhausted south of Birmingham by the 2020s.”

The national consultation into HS2 was launched in February and will end on Friday July 29.

Consultation roadshows have started in Warwickshire this week with events taking place in Ladbroke yesterday (Thursday) and at the Graham Adams Centre in Southam today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

Cubbington Sports and Social Club will host a roadshow on Monday as will Burton Green village hall next Friday.

Both events will run from 8am to 8pm.

For more information on HS2 and the roadshows visit Warwickshire County Council’s website.