Midlands Connect writes to Boris Johnson: any delay or downgrade of HS2 a “serious concern” and further leaks are “simply unacceptable”

Date posted: January 20, 2020
Share
a train travels over a bridge with a river flowing beneath

Midlands Connect Chairman Sir John Peace has today (Monday 20 January 2020) written to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, warning him again that any delay or downgrade of High Speed Two would be a betrayal of the Midlands and the North.

In the letter, issued following a leak of the HS2 Oakervee Review in the Financial Times, Sir John Peace told the Prime Minister to publish the full review as soon as possible to end uncertainty:

The tone of today’s Oakervee review leak in the Financial Times is of serious concern. Further leaks and uncertainty are simply unacceptable. The time has come to release the Oakervee report and give the Midlands, our businesses and investors the certainty we need to plan for a bright future.

To delay and downgrade HS2 north of Birmingham would be a betrayal of the Midlands and the North. We need a modern, fast and reliable railway to link our great towns and cities sustainably.

I met with and wrote to Douglas Oakervee several times during his review. I made it clear that HS2’s current economic case greatly underestimates the full economic benefits of the project. It ignores developments plans around new high-speed stations across the Midlands and the North.

Any further delay or downgrades of the project will send the wrong message to the people of our region, but it will also send the wrong message to foreign investors who see Britain as an opportunity for growth after Brexit.

We need HS2 more than ever. I would welcome the opportunity to meet you at your earliest convenience and allay any fears you may have about pushing ahead with this vital project.

Share

Keep Updated

Latest News & Events

Derby University Institute of Technology

Digital

Sep 19 2023

First East Midlands Institute of Technology site opens in Derby

A new state-of-the-art facility for computing students, which will support the teaching of a range of digital and engineering subjects, such as computer games animation, design engineering and mechatronics has opened at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre.

Read more
2KYFDN4_rfzgsv

Green Growth

Sep 15 2023

Midlands Engine APPG Co-Chair Lord Ravensdale – Unlock our outdated planning system and put net zero at the heart of decision making

Midlands Engine APPG Co-Chair Lord Ravensdale writes in The House Magazine on proposed amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Read more
lilian smith

Latest News

Sep 12 2023

Transitioning from academia to industry and growing your career: A masterclass.

Over 100 Early Career Researchers, Industry leaders and experts in enabling career growth gathered at Charnwood Campus for the first Midlands-wide Early Career Researcher Workshop

Read more
An electric vehicle charging

Subscribe to Midlands Matters, the newsletter of the Midlands Engine