Towns and cities affected by HS2 must seize opportunities for growth, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has emphasised.
The minister’s challenge came in response to the Government’s independent HS2 Growth Taskforce report, which recommends regions with HS2 stations should develop detailed strategies to make sure they can seize potential economic benefits.
McLoughlin confirmed the Government was committed to working with local areas to help them realise their visions for how HS2 will kick-start wider economic growth, including providing new funding to help regions develop their HS2 strategies.
Mr McLoughin said: ‘As the Growth Taskforce report made clear, HS2 can have a transformational impact on the UK. Local authorities need to rise to this challenge.
‘In responding to the Growth Taskforce we are giving our full support to local areas to develop their HS2 growth strategies and transform cities, towns and regions into magnets for growth.
‘We will continue working together to unlock the full potential of HS2 and I thank the taskforce for its work and for giving us a framework for taking forward the HS2 growth agenda.’
Chair of the HS2 Growth Taskforce, Lord Deighton said: ‘It is great to see the Government taking the next steps towards this through local growth plans and proposals for a central regeneration company. Together we will ensure Britain has what it takes to get the best out of this project.’
