20.08.14
Eastern route of HS2 offers highest return opportunities – ENP
The Birmingham-Leeds section of HS2 delivers the biggest economic benefits of the entire project, according to research by the Eastern Network Partnership (ENP).
The government’s proposed Y-shaped network links London to Birmingham before splitting into two routes, one to Manchester and the West Coast Main Line, and an eastern route through the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and on to Leeds with a direct link to York and on to Tyneside and Scotland.
The study, carried out by the ENP, which is comprised of councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the north east, has stated that every pound spent building the eastern route of HS2 would generate £5.60 in benefits – more than double the return of £2.60 for the western route to Manchester.
ENP’s report added that as a minimum, the eastern leg should be delivered at the same time as the western leg so that economic benefits are maximised, and so that it is not disadvantaged when compared to the west of the country.
The partners said they will develop a masterplan around the proposed station location at Sheffield Meadowhall, subject to the delivery of a comprehensive connectivity package to enable its “efficient function” to “maximise surrounding growth”.
Cllr Jon Collins, chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board said: “The eastern route of HS2 is key to the success of the whole project. If we get it right it will have huge economic benefits, not just for the East Midlands, but for the country as whole.”
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