HS2 hybrid bill published

 

HS2 will take a major step forward today (25 November 2013) with publication of the Bill for phase one of the country’s new railway between London and Birmingham.

The hybrid Bill, effectively the planning application for the scheme, will give the government the powers to construct and operate the railway. It will also give those affected by the proposed line the opportunity to petition Parliament, both for and against the proposals, and have their case heard by a committee of MPs.

 

The publication of the hybrid Bill has been widely welcomed as a significant milestone towards delivering HS2.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said:

HS2 is a vital infrastructure project for the Midlands. With careful planning and the involvement of social partners the project has the potential to deliver thousands of innovative, quality jobs for the people of the Midlands.

 

Once the line is built, it will also help to release the economic potential of the region through increased capacity. HS2 gives us a once in a generation lifetime to secure a more sustainable, better paid, more progressive regional economy"

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

With rail passenger numbers along the west coast route set to rise sharply in the next few decades, HS2 is vital for delivering the extra capacity that passengers will need.

But HS2 isn’t just about helping passengers, it can boost growth and help rebalance the economy too. HS2 will provide new business opportunities at stops along its route, while local employment and apprenticeship clauses could help HS2 to create many thousands of high quality jobs across the country. This is an opportunity we can ill afford to miss out on.

Derby City Council leader Councillor Paul Bayliss said:

Today’s (25 November 2013) laying into Parliament of the hybrid Bill to build HS2 is a very significant step forward in the development of Britain’s new north-south high speed railway. As the country’s leading city for advanced transport engineering, we welcome the economic opportunities that HS2 should bring, particularly if the East Midlands Station is in the right location.