Sponsored By
Sheffield and the high speed train
THE development of a new high-speed rail line between London and Scotland is a matter which will affect the future of several major cities in the UK, Sheffield being one of them.
Popular support for more high-speed trains in the UK has risen off the back of the success of High-Speed 1 (HS1) with its route from St Pancras to Paris. There is also a growing enthusiasm for more sustainable transport systems to reduce reliance on, and compete with, domestic aviation.
In response the Government has formally set out its aspirations for a UK network in January 2009 with the establishment of High-Speed 2. HS2 is a dedicated company charged with looking at the case for new high-speed services between London and Scotland operating in the 2020s.
A further perceived benefit of a high-speed line is the boost it would bring to economic growth for the cities of the Midlands and the North and it is at this point that Sheffield must get involved.
It is a proven fact that the building of a major transport network generates business interest and development local to the centres that the routes touch. So Sheffield cannot afford to miss the opportunity to be part of the overall scheme.
HS2 has a remit thus far to develop proposals for a new rail line from London to the West Midlands. They submitted their final report to ministers in December 2009 and the Government's response should be made by the end of March 2010, when the report may also be made public.
In a recent visit to the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, wanted to hear from Chamber representatives why Sheffield should be included in future transport investment.
It was pressed on Lord Adonis that any route north of the West Midlands must serve Sheffield on route to Scotland. That Lord Adonis is requesting an audience with the Sheffield Chamber is positive but that lobbying must now continue.
Sheffield is one of 11 cities represented by lobby group High-Speed Rail UK (HSRUK). Advice from European countries that already have high-speed rail services is that stations should be at least 100 miles apart to gain any benefit from the speed. But few of the cities in Britain are far enough apart to satisfy this criterion and so the implication is that some will be disappointed.
Sheffield cannot afford to let its voice go unheard. Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Sheffield Council will now need to form an effective lobbying partnership to ensure that Sheffield does not miss out on this strategic and highly important opportunity.
The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has already set the ball rolling with its lobbying event in December 2009.
We need a strong business voice and the case must be made now while strategies are still being formulated. We must not wait until key decisions have been made.
BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.
MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
