High Speed 2 Must be Delivered Quickly, says BCC

27th October 2014

Commenting ahead of the report outlining the next phase of High Speed 2 due to be published on Monday, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: -HS2 will be vital for the UK if it is to have a world class transport infrastructure in the years to come.

-Extending the line from Birmingham to Manchester, Leeds and beyond is essential, and businesses will support any effort that ensures the benefits of HS2 materialise as swiftly as possible. Delays in getting the project underway are not an option. -HS2 will only deliver its full potential if it is part of a fully-functioning national network. It must also be part of a series of commitments to improve conventional rail and road services across the whole of the UK, as better connectivity and increased capacity will contribute to long-lasting, sustainable growth in the future.