Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, has said he is delighted that the new Secretary of State Mark Harper has confirmed HS2 East is going ahead.
Mark Harper Secretary of State for Transport confirmed yesterday after a review, that the government is proceeding with HS2 East (the new high-speed line between the West and East Midlands).
The HS2 station at East Midlands Parkway means high-speed trains will be directly accessible from a series of major road networks such as the M1, A50, A453, A6 and A42, connecting it to communities in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. It is also close to East Midlands Airport and within the East Midlands Freeport area.
Speaking after the announcement Cllr Bradley told The Wire:
“I’m delighted that following a review HS2 East has been confirmed. HS2 is not just a railway line, it will play a vital role in multi-billion-pound growth and regeneration plans for Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, and it represents the biggest single investment in our area in a generation.
“It means more jobs, more money coming in, a better infrastructure, as well as more opportunities for training, skills and apprenticeships. It will play a huge and significant part in levelling up our county.
“In the last few months, we’ve started the Devolution process for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and the West Burton site near Retford has been chosen as the home of what is hoped to be world’s first commercial prototype fusion energy plant. This all adds up to billions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of jobs coming into the region which means a better future for local people.
“I will continue to work with the government to plan how HS2 services will connect further north beyond Nottinghamshire, as part of a package to connect as many communities as possible to the new rail network and make the most of all the opportunities that this will bring.”
Ruth Edwards MP said:
‘A fantastic regional rail network will unlock the potential of the East Midlands, bringing jobs, tourism and investment to the region.
‘I’m delighted that HS2 will be coming to East Midlands Parkway in Rushcliffe, right into the heart of the East Midlands Freeport. This will be an added incentive for new businesses to locate in the Freeport.
‘This is a huge investment in our regional rail infrastructure, which will slash journey times for passengers between Birmingham and Nottingham and Nottingham and London by two thirds.
‘Coming alongside the electrification of the Midlands Mainline, it is great to see the Government investing so heavily in our area.’
• HS2 East progress confirmed by transport minister in statement to Parliament
