Business survey provides platform for views on HS2

This will give business people the opportunity to share their thoughts on whether HS2 will deliver economic benefits to the region, as well as how their own individual business might be affected.

The proposed £50bn high-speed line to link Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester with Birmingham and London represents the biggest rail project in generations.

The Yorkshire Post asked for readers’ views as part of its HS2 Big Debate recently.

The Big Debate series gives voice to the rich and varied views of the people of Yorkshire on the issues that matter.

Nabarro partner Christopher Bowes said: “HS2 is an exciting and ambitious infrastructure project that has the potential to bring enormous benefits to people and businesses in the region as well as the UK economy as a whole.

“However, HS2 will also come at considerable cost, both in terms of the capital cost of construction and the likely blighting effect it will have on land and businesses in its path.

“The jury is still out as to whether Yorkshire’s businesses are convinced about HS2’s benefits.

“We believe this survey will provide people and businesses in the region with the opportunity to express their views on the project and provide an assessment of whether the benefits will outweigh the costs.”

Nabarro, which has offices in Sheffield, plans to feed the results of the survey directly into the HS2 Growth Task Force. It is advising on a number of legal issues surrounding the project.

The law firm will be contacting businesses in Yorkshire to gather their views on the topic.