We were disappointed to hear of the announcement to delay the start of construction of Phase 2A of the HS2 line.
The line has been split into sections – and it is Phase 2A that piques our interest, stretching from Fradley to Crewe, through Staffordshire between Stafford and Stone and through rural parts of Newcastle-under-Lyme borough.
HS2 is more than just tracks and trains, scores of apprenticeship opportunities will be created, upskilling the workforce to the benefit of the local economy for many years to come. Construction workers will need food, accommodation, and many other services, bringing money in the local economy.
Construction works will take shape in the coming years and through our HS2 Forum, we’ll be banging the drum for local businesses to have access to procurement opportunities.
The arrival of high-speed rail services into our county should also serve as a catalyst for regeneration and create the right conditions for investment and high value jobs. The skyline along the A500 at Stoke is currently dominated by large cranes which stand over the Goods Yard regeneration initiative to the west of Stoke-on-Trent Station. This development will revitalise an area in and around Glebe Street, turning an unloved industrial site into a vibrant urban neighbourhood quarter, restoring existing buildings into work and leisure space, including a café bar in a derelict signal box, as well as adding well-designed sustainable apartments.
Further south in Stafford, the Stafford Station Gateway initiative will transform the western approach to Stafford town centre with proposals for 900 homes, 20,000 sq. ft of commercial space, a hotel and a multi-story carpark in a green setting. It also provides opportunities for brand new leisure, retail and food and beverage concepts to create a fresh and vibrant centre for the community.
HS2 presents many opportunities for our business community and on the back of the announcement to delay the start of the construction of Phase 2A of the line, we have written to The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, MP) and Secretary of State for Transport (Rt Hon. Mark Harper, MP), to express our disappointment and to call for commitment to ensure that any delay does not extend indefinitely. We have also called for HS2 services to/from London to start/finish in Central London, at Euston Station and not Old Oak Common, some 4 miles to the west.
Our HS2 Forum was created in 2020, with the aim of making sure Staffordshire gets the maximum economic and social benefits from the construction and eventual operation of HS2. Being a forum member is a great way to grow your contacts and add your voice to the discussions around shaping our policy role as a Chamber. It’s also a great way to get updates on what’s happening in our local economy, with a diverse mix of guest speakers.
If you would like to join our HS2 Forum or any of our policy forums, or discuss any of the issues in more detail, please contact me directly: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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