Clive Watkinson – Chair of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Transport Forum on HS2

Clive Watkinson – Chair of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Transport Forum:

“HS2 was always about capacity rather than speed and our support for it was always based on the benefits to the South Yorkshire economy.”

“That support lapsed when the North East part of the line had the South Yorkshire station removed, lumbering us with the massive disruption of construction without any local benefits.”

“We therefore welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of the cancellation of the project north of Birmingham and his commitment to these massive savings being spent on major new projects in the North.”

“In particular, we welcome his commitments to East-West links rather than North-South links and his emphasis on a more rounded transport policy in the North rather than a focus solely on public transport.”

“We want to see more details on the projects announced and will lobby to maximise the benefits for our South Yorkshire economy.”