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Last chance for Sheffield consultation on HS2

Sheffield City Council is calling on people and businesses across Sheffield and the City Region to have their say on HS2.

The consultation closes on Friday 31 January when HS2 Limited will then consider all of the feedback received.

Sheffield City Council stated that it is supportive of HS2 but strongly feels that the economic benefits of siting a station in Sheffield City Centre far outweigh a Sheffield parkway station location.

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council said: “Government has made considerable effort to stress the economic benefits associated with HS2, which we fully endorse. If done properly, high speed rail stations can be a catalyst for growth.

“The current proposal to build a parkway station in Sheffield, four miles away from the city centre, not only overlooks the significant growth potential of a city centre location but it also risks reducing the overall economic impact of the HS2 project.”

Independent analysis indicates that an additional 6,000 jobs and up to £5billion more GVA would be created by a station in Sheffield city centre when compared to the proposed parkway station.

Business sectors attracted to locating near High Speed Rail connectivity prefer city centre locations and the wider assets they offer - whether that is universities, cultural and leisure facilities or quality office space.

The city centre location in Sheffield could offer a station at the core of a city’s dynamic business base that acts as a catalyst for business growth, urban regeneration, major private investment and interconnectivity with other regional cities.

Cllr Dore added: “Our concern is that without a city centre station, Sheffield and the City Region will be placed at a permanent disadvantage compared to other city regions with city centre HS2 stations.

“This doesn’t just impact on our economy, but the UK economy as a whole as everyone benefits when our cities have strong, well connected, resilient economies.

“We strongly feel that the Sheffield city centre station means more jobs, more growth, and more investment.”

The consultation on the route through Sheffield runs until the end of January 2014. Now is the time to have your say take part in the consultation at www.hs2.org.uk/route-consultation

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .