BCC comments on HS2 announcements

18th July 2017

Commenting on the announcements on HS2 made by the Department for Transport, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: -The HS2 project is intended to boost the infrastructure capacity of the UK as a whole so business communities will welcome this clarity on the routes, but will want to see action begin on all phases as soon as possible.

-Construction of the routes will spur welcome investment and job creation, many in skilled positions. As well as clear benefits for those businesses who win the contracts, many other firms across their supply chains will also feel the positive knock-on effects. -HS2 will add much-need capacity to the UK's rail network, improving connectivity across the country which is crucial for businesses looking to reach new markets, customers and labour supply. Richard Wright, Executive Director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, comments on the announcement on the route for Phase 2: -Today's decision is the best outcome for the region, and should bolster investment into Sheffield. We're pleased to see the Department for Transport connect the objectives of HS2 with Transport for the North, and the choice to link the city centres is a sensible one. It's good that the decision has now been made but there is plenty of work still to be done between now and 2033 to maximise the potential of this project.