The proposal to accelerate construction work on the northern section of the £50 billion high-speed HS2 rail project has been welcomed by the GTMC.
According to the GTMC, If the plans to speed up phase two were adopted, the benefits of HS2 in terms of better services to the north and the business traveller, would be achieved much sooner.
Earlier today HS2 chairman David Higgins, who was responsible for ensuring London’s Olympic Park was built on time and on budget, delivered a report calling for a revised timetable on the project that would see the completion date brought forward from 2030 to 2027.
The controversial project, which has come under fire from both political sides, is expected to link London to Birmingham by 2026, with tracks to cities including Leeds and Manchester built in a second phase, originally pencilled for completion by 2032-33.
GTMC’s chief executive Paul Wait (pictured) said the business traveller community is very clear in their support for HS2.
“Results from a recent [GTMC] survey revealed nearly three quarters of 18 to 29 year olds are in favour of the planned project,” said Wait.
“Our members firmly believe that HS2 is absolutely vital for the future if the country especially for closing the economic divide between the north and south.
“The sooner the government can sign off on its plans, the sooner the economic benefits can be shared by all.”
Higgins’ report showed quicker completion could see a new northern transport hub opening in Crewe in 2027 connecting the high-speed line with the rest of the northwest, Wales and Scotland.
In the report Higgins also warned costs for the £50 billion scheme could easily spiral out of control if it was mired in planning and consultation regulations as “time is money”.
Wait said the one “bone of contention” is Higgins’ call for scrapping the proposed link between HS2 and the HS1 line, which links St Pancras station to the Channel Tunnel, allowing for continuous travel to mainland Europe.
“A recent survey we conducted among business rail travellers throughout the country revealed two-thirds of them were strongly in favour of HS2 connecting with mainland Europe,” said Wait.
“If the government hopes to keep the economic engine of the recovery running then connectivity to the continent is absolutely crucial as these results prove.
“Britain has to demonstrate to the international business community that it’s connected, accessible and open to investment. We urge Higgins to reassess the inclusion of the international link to mainland Europe.”
GTMC represents a diverse range of TMCs from global companies to small independent specialists and top regional agencies.