Why High-Speed Rail can mean jobs and opportunities for Birmingham
Amid renewed speculation about the long-awaited HS2, Councillor Ian Ward reflects on the jobs and opportunities that high-speed rail will bring to Birmingham.
I have been a long-term advocate for high-speed rail, and now that the HS2 project is well-underway we are already seeing the benefits of the scheme here in Birmingham, showing that this is about far more than just quick trains to London.
For a start, HS2 is creating high-skilled and well-paid jobs in the construction industry, helping young people from Birmingham and beyond to start fulfilling careers developing the infrastructure of the future. We have the potential to create an ‘HS2 Generation’ of people living and working in Birmingham who began their careers building the railway, station, and related infrastructure that will transform our city centre.
The site of Curzon Street, with new public transport links, and a thriving new district connecting to the existing city centre, will be the gateway to Birmingham for people coming from the north and the south, showing off everything our amazing city has to offer.
HS2 will also help us on our route to a cleaner and greener future, freeing up space on the existing rail network for freight, and encouraging people to make the switch to public transport.
I am excited for the opportunities that HS2 is going to bring, which is why I have made it clear to the government today that they have a responsibility to deliver the HS2 scheme in full and on time.
There were reports in the press this morning that HS2 may no longer go into central London at Euston, instead stopping at Old Oak Common. Whilst I’m relieved that the Chancellor has now clarified that this is not the plan, we need cast-iron guarantees that HS2 will be delivered in full.
I have often spoken about Birmingham being the heart of the UK economy, and I believe that we should be at the heart of a High-Speed Rail network, bringing new jobs and opportunities to the West Midlands, and linking us up with the cities in the north of England. Sadly, Phase 2B of HS2, which was set to link Crewe to Manchester, has already been cancelled.
I hope that a future government will reverse this decision, and until that time I will continue to lobby the government to deliver on the public infrastructure that we need to level up the UK economy.
This blog was posted on 27 January 2023.
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