Don’t be swayed by high-speed rail ‘antis’ say business chiefs

Some of the biggest names in British business – including heads of organisations like the CBI and companies like BAE Systems – have signed a letter saying the 250mph network would give the economy “a much needed boost”.

The fightback from supporters of a high-speed network – which is estimated to be worth billions to the Yorkshire economy by slashing journey times – is intended to counter criticism of the project by campaigners near the route of the first leg of the network, from Birmingham to London.

The chairman of the Northern Way Transport Group and the organiser of the letter, Prof David Begg, said, “For too long the debate on high-speed rail has been dominated by local opponents but many in business want it developed as soon as possible.

“High-speed rail will be a major boost to the economy, improving our growth and jobs prospects, particularly in the Midlands, the North, and Scotland. We should expect to see businesses becoming much more visible in this debate moving forward.”

Next week the Government is expected to launch a formal consultation over the line to Birmingham, which would be built first before two further sections north, one to South Yorkshire and Leeds and the other to Manchester.

Transport officials in the region say the £33bn network, which would cut journey times between Leeds and London to just 80 minutes, is vital to the future of the region’s economy. Research estimates the line east of the Pennines would bring in benefits of more than £62bn.

The Yorkshire Post Fast Track to Yorkshire campaign is urging the Government to press ahead with high-speed rail, but in recent weeks protesters – many in the Chilterns where they object to the line cutting through the countryside – have been speaking out.

However, the intervention of 69 key business figures such as Lord Digby Jones, Lord Marshall of Nomura, former British Airways chief Willie Walsh, Ian King of BAE Systems, John Cridland of the CBI, Andy Street of John Lewis and Dalton Philips of Wm Morrisons adds significant weight to the case for building the line.

Other signatories include Prof Keith Glaister, dean of the University of Sheffield’s Management School, Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor Prof Philip Jones, Yuri Matischen, president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Prof Peter Moizer, dean of the Leeds University Business School, Prof Susan Price, vice-chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University and Prof Steven Toms, head of York Management School.

In their letter they say: “We believe the Government is right to develop a new high-speed rail line linking the major cities in the Midlands, the North of England and London.

“A high-speed rail link will give the economy a much needed boost, particularly in the North and Midlands. Not only will a high-speed rail link create much needed capacity and reduce journey times, it will also improve connections between airports, help current commuter services, and free up space on existing lines to carry more freight.”

Yesterday the Campaign for Better Transport warned that the high-speed rail (HSR) project must not lead to less investment in the rest of the network.

The group’s director Richard Hebditch admitted high-speed rail would bring benefits but warned: “We’re very worried that Ministers will need to cut budgets elsewhere to pay for HSR.

“That could mean even steeper fare rises and cuts in local rail services in order to pay for it.”

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We cannot afford not to invest in our future. All other major economies are pressing ahead with ambitious HSR plans – Britain must not be left behind.

“However, we have been quite clear that investing in HSR isn’t something we will do instead of improving commuter services, but in addition.”