![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/MG_1559-300x200.jpg\")
\u2018People, place and connectivity\u2019 are the focus of a new East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy, revealing how the planned high speed rail network could add thousands of jobs and billions of pounds to the region\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\u2018People, place and connectivity\u2019 are the focus of a new East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy, revealing how the planned high speed rail network could add thousands of jobs and billions of pounds to the region\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
In July (2017) Government confirmed its preferred route for HS2\u2019s \u2018Phase 2b\u2019 line, or \u2018eastern leg\u2019; proposed to run from the West Midlands, through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire \u2013 between the large urban conurbations of Nottingham and Derby \u2013 through to Leeds. The line includes plans for an East Midlands \u2018hub\u2019 station at Toton, Nottinghamshire \u2013 set to be the network\u2019s best connected point outside London \u2013 an HS2 maintenance depot at Staveley, north Derbyshire, and provision for HS2 classic compatible trains serving the current Chesterfield train station. It\u2019s estimated this eastern leg would open fully in 2033, but local partners believe there\u2019s potential to partially open the hub station at Toton by 2030.<\/p>\n
Now the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board\u00a0\u2013 a partnership of the region\u2019s local authorities, businesses and Local Enterprise Partnerships \u2013 has submitted its East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy: World Class-Locally Driven to Government.<\/p>\n
The new in-depth study \u2013 building on an initial proposal published September 2016 \u2013 details the opportunities HS2 presents to drive long term growth for the regional economy, equivalent to an additional 74,000 jobs and almost \u00a34billion of GVA (Gross Value Added) by 2043, and how this could be achieved.<\/p>\n
These opportunities include:<\/p>\n
the Strategy proposes improvements to local connectivity \u2013 using various modes of transport including road, bus, rail, tram, cycling, pedestrian \u2013 between East Midlands economic centres such as Derby, Leicester and Nottingham city centres, and East Midlands Airport; and between the towns and villages surrounding Toton and Chesterfield. The HS2 Growth Strategy also sets out comprehensive proposals for addressing congestion and improving connectivity on the A52.<\/p>\n
Councillor Jon Collins, HS2 Strategic Board Chair and Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: \u201cThis Strategy makes it clear that HS2 is not just about better transport, we intend to use it as a catalyst to create new business opportunities which will bring thousands of extra jobs to the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important that we put the site around the new HS2 hub to good use and so it makes sense to develop an Innovation Campus, which plays to the strengths of emerging regional business sectors and local university research. It will benefit from all the enhanced transport links that we see as vital to making the most of the HS2 hub in the East Midlands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jake Berry MP \u2013 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth) at the Department for Communities and Local Government \u2013 added: \u201cThe investment this Government is making in HS2 represents an opportunity for economic growth, not just in the towns and cities along the route but across whole regions. I am delighted that East Midlands leaders have come together to develop an ambitious strategy which capitalises on this opportunity, and I look forward to discussing the proposals in more detail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Maynard MP \u2013 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rail, Accessibility and HS2 \u2013 said: \u201cHS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network \u2013 supporting growth and regeneration and helping us build an economy that works for all.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/MG_1543-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome the initiative that the East Midlands local enterprise partnerships and local authorities have taken in working together to develop plans to maximise the economic benefits that HS2 will bring to Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and other parts of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peter Richardson OBE, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, commented: \u201cWe have an exciting vision for the future, which sees HS2 as a catalyst to boost the region\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor local people and businesses across the East Midlands, HS2 will mean more jobs and training opportunities, trade and investment, housing opportunities at a range of different sites, train services with quicker journey times, and better local transport connections. To make all this happen we need to plan early and engage support from all sectors of our community. This East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy provides an excellent and practical vision of how we wish to achieve that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect, said: \u201cMidlands Connect and Midlands Engine are seizing the once in a lifetime opportunity HS2 brings to drive growth for the region. We are fully supportive of accelerating completion of the East Midlands HS2 Hub and are urging Government to bring this forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cMidlands Connect is already defining and developing the local strategic connections that will maximise the economic benefits of HS2 connectivity and, through Midlands Engine, we will work with partners to turn this ambitious growth strategy into action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Kay Cutts MBE, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, added: \u201cThis latest report is vital, as it sets out in detail the huge economic benefits and opportunities this will bring to Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new East Midlands station at Toton is due to become the best connected place outside of London, and will help to make Nottinghamshire an even more attractive place to live and work. \u00a0This radical improvement to connectivity and capacity will unlock massive economic growth for our county. The opportunities for new jobs and skills is unparalleled, particularly for our younger generation. There will be lucrative supply\u00a0chain opportunities for local businesses, particularly during the construction phase, which we as a County Council will be supporting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Simon Spencer – Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure; and Vice-Chair of the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board \u2013said: \u201cHS2 will bring more jobs and business opportunities to Derbyshire, as well as massive potential for the county\u2019s tourism industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe the best deal for Derbyshire residents will be achieved by working with the Government, to maximise the economic benefits and minimise the adverse impacts of the scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), added: \u201cHS2 is the single biggest transport infrastructure project in a generation, and represents a huge opportunity for businesses across the East Midlands and beyond. It has the potential to be truly transformational, much more than just a new railway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a catalyst that drives regeneration along its entire route and leads to wider infrastructure investment, it will utilise the skills available in the world\u2019s greatest cluster of rail-related businesses in Derby, and create opportunities to make sure those skills and new ones will pass to the next generation. It will bring together a raft of different partners as they work together to maximise the opportunities of HS2, both during construction and for decades afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
To read a copy of the East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy: World Class-Locally Driven publication online go to web link www.d2n2lep.org\/News\/thousands-of-jobs-and-almost-4billion-for-economy-detailed-in-hs2-strategy<\/a><\/p>\n For more information about the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board\u00a0and its work see the website link at www.emcouncils.gov.uk\/HS2-Strategic-Board<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u2018People, place and connectivity\u2019 are the focus of a new East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy, revealing how the planned high speed rail network could add thousands of jobs and billions of pounds to the region\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n In July (2017) Government confirmed its preferred route for HS2\u2019s \u2018Phase 2b\u2019 line, or \u2018eastern leg\u2019; proposed to run <\/p>\n