The North ‘must come together’ to fight for HS2

Sir David Higgins told The Yorkshire Post he wants the North to set up a “leadership group” to lobby Parliament to build HS2 as quickly as possible; and to do so alongside a raft of improvements to east-west rail links between cities such as Leeds, Manchester, Bradford, Wakefield and Hull.

Sir David’s review of the project, published yesterday, stresses the need for HS2 to be undertaken alongside a major upgrade of the existing rail network.

He said that since taking up his new role in January, he has received “clear feedback” from leaders in cities such as Wakefield and Bradford of the need to demonstrate how they too will benefit from the £50bn project.

“It’s quite clear there were cities that felt left out of it and were not getting any direct benefits,” Sir David said. “Let’s look at the whole (construction) period –what is the grander plan? How would you invest money on the existing network, and can any of that tie in with what we’re doing on high-speed?”

Sir David said it was inevitable that the first phase of the line, between London and Birmingham, would be built first, as the necessary legislation was already making its way through Parliament. But he said the North could quickly feel other benefits – such as the upgrade of existing rail lines in preparation for the arrival of HS2.

“You can’t start building until you have Royal Assent (for the HS2 Bill),” Sir David said. “You can start, however, working in the North on areas that don’t require legislation.

“Everything from rolling stock, to line speed improvements, to electrification could be done without a Bill. Cities like Bradford can have services enhanced without having to go through that process.”

Speaking at yesterday’s launch event, council chiefs agreed it was time for the North to speak with one voice to ensure the region enjoys the wider benefits of HS2.

Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield Council, said: “Collectively we are a force to be reckoned with.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester Council, insisted traditional cross-Pennine rivalries are “not real” and that Manchester shares a “common agenda” with Yorkshire’s biggest cities.

“We have to develop a single ‘Northern’ story and get behind it,” he said. “That’s how we get a voice big enough to campaign.”

Business and council leaders alike have welcomed the new emphasis on upgrading the region’s existing railways alongside HS2.

“The integration with the existing rail system is so critical,” said Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council. “All HS2 does is provide the skeleton. You’ve got to build on that. The connections between Leeds and Bradford could be so much better.”

Mark Goldstone, director of policy at Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “HS2 mustn’t be viewed in isolation but as part of a wider dialogue around transport.

“What we would like to see is incremental improvements to the existing rail infrastructure.”

James Newman, chairman of Sheffield City Region local enterprise partnership, added: “HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Integrating it with existing and future transport services will be a critical part of ensuring we maximise economic benefits.”

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