HS2 strategy sees thousands of jobs and £4billion extra for regional economy
Around 74,000 jobs could be created and £4billion added to the East Midlands’ economy if a planned HS2 high speed rail line is routed through the region, says a new report on the major project.
Phase 2 of the national HS2 high speed rail network plans for a western (Crewe to Manchester) and an eastern leg (West Midlands to Leeds). The eastern leg includes a regional HS2 ‘rail hub’ at Toton, Nottinghamshire, and a network maintenance depot at Staveley, near Chesterfield; and the western leg (towards Manchester) will bring associated benefits to north Derbyshire.
The Government announced on November 15 it would be taking the Phase 2 proposals forward as its preferred route. Further public consultation will be needed but if the route receives planning permission it could be operational by 2033.
An initial East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy report – launched November 18 – estimates the HS2 plans could create an extra 74,000 jobs in the East Midlands and add £4billion to the region’s economy by 2042, around ten years after trains begin running.
The East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy report details what the proposed HS2 regional route could do for the study area, which has a population of 3.15million and contains 109,000 businesses. Advantages laid out in the publication include:
- 74,000 new jobs (both directly related to HS2 and indirectly, such as supply chain companies) in a wide range of sectors; including local rail sector firms but also companies connected with engineering, manufacturing, construction, real estate and logistics.
- Quicker regional rail journeys, as HS2 removes some of the pressure from the current rail network, and faster connections between East Midlands’ cities and main towns and other parts of the UK. For example, Nottingham to London in 68 minutes (current average 104 minutes), Derby to Leeds in 50 minutes (current average 77) and Leicester to Newcastle in 142 minutes (current average 205).
Further advantages for Chesterfield include:
- A regional HS2 maintenance depot at Staveley, five miles north-east of Chesterfield, to serve Midlands’ HS2 lines. This site would also see the remediation of around 150 hectares of brownfield land; to create space for 1,500 homes and 30 hectares of employment land, with the site supporting up to 800 new jobs.
- Potential for enhanced economic benefits, from linking of the HS2 plans for the Chesterfield area into the new proposed growth strategy for northern and central Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire; and from the increased connectivity this will bring between the area and points east and west.
- Opportunities for passengers to get on/off high-speed services at Chesterfield Station would boost the local economy and increase north Derbyshire’s attractiveness for businesses looking to set-up, expand or relocate.
Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Vice-Chair of East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, added:-
“The benefits are clear. Routing HS2 through the East Midlands would boost the local economy, bring more jobs and provide opportunities for local businesses to expand.
“We’re continuing to work with HS2 Ltd to maximise economic benefit, while minimising the disruption to communities; and making sure we get the best possible outcome for Derbyshire residents, businesses and others along the route.”
