Business agents have applauded a new report which calls for speeding up the HS2 rail project.
Sir David Higgins’ report released today reveals that a revised timetable could see a new northern transport hub opening in Crewe in 2027 connecting the high-speed line with services to the rest of the northwest, Wales and Scotland six years earlier than previously planned.
The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) said the plans to accelerate the building work on the northern section of the £50 billion high-speed HS2 rail project would bring benefits to business travellers sooner with better services to the north.
It said results from its ‘Voice of the Business Rail Traveller’ survey revealed nearly three quarters of 18 to 29 year olds are in favour of the planned project.
However, the GTMC does not agree with plans to scrap the proposed link between HS2 and HS1 line which links St Pancras station to the Channel Tunnel.
Paul Wait, chief executive of the GTMC said: "Our members firmly believe that HS2 is absolutely vital for the future of the country especially for closing the economic divide between north and south. The sooner the government can sign off on its plans, the sooner the economic benefits can be shared by all."
But he added: "If the Government hopes to keep the economic engine of the recovery running then connectivity to the continent is absolutely crucial."
