Business leaders in the West Midlands today welcomed the Transport Select Committee’s report on HS2. ‘High Speed Rail’, the report of the inquiry into the project, will encourage economic growth and investment and create thousands of new jobs for the West Midlands, said Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group.
He added: “We must also stress the need for local transport investment to go alongside HS2 to increase the economic benefits and share them throughout the region.
“HS2 is the only viable option for Birmingham if we want to see the levels of growth; investment and job creation that will transform this City.
“We are clear that HS2 is the 21st century solution to our creaking Victorian infrastructure.”
The Chamber has been working with local businesses, local authorities and transport authorities since 2009 ensure that Birmingham sees the maximum benefits possible from HS2.
The West Midlands is at the heart of the high speed network bringing 22,000 jobs and £1.5bn per year to our region.
