Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John Peace Comments on HS2 Cancellation

Date posted: October 4, 2023
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Sir John Peace

Commenting on the news that the Prime Minister has cancelled Phase 2 of the HS2 project, Sir John Peace, Chairman of #MidlandsEngine and #MidlandsConnect, said:

“We are disappointed and disheartened by the HS2 announcement.

We must not start from scratch, we must work at pace to deliver HS2 Phase 1 all the way to Euston. There are also lessons to be learnt from the HS2 story so far.

The Midlands Rail Hub and road programmes including the A5 which have been announced today resonate with us, these are our transformational East-West priorities for the region, which we recommended and have been progressing with Government.

We are now calling for more detail on timescales and plan of action, and asking for a high-level urgent meeting with ministers, to ensure these plans and the benefits for the Midlands are delivered as quickly as possible.

We will now work, like we always do, cross-party and in an open and collaborative way with all involved.”

#MidlandsConnect and #MidlandsEngine – working together and with partners across the entire Midlands to drive pan-regional economic prosperity.

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