Call for more cash to reap HS2 success

The scheme, which will not be operational under currrent plans until 2032 at the earliest, is predicted to bring “substantial economic benefits” to Yorkshire as a result of better links to the capital.

But members of South Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority, which oversees transport issues in the county, was told yesterday that extra technical work to support the scheme would need new investment.

Neil Chadwick, the authority’s director of strategy said it was anticipated that an announcement would be made in the next few weeks by the Government about where stations should be on the Yorkshire route.

But he said this would trigger a major consultation exercise which would require significant input from the authority to engage with businesses, the public, councillors and MPs.

And he warned that not investing cash in the process could lead to a “sub-optimal” situation for South Yorkshire leading to a competitive disadvantage.

He added: “South Yorkshire’s comparative competitive posistion will suffer. Mitigating these long term risks is a principal focus of activities planned for the next financial year.”