Pictured above: Jane Jackson, Solihull Chamber of Commerce; Caroline Spellman MP; Deborah Smith, Wordsmith Communications

Caroline Spellman MP called on Solihull businesses to 'rise to the challenge to make the case in support of high speed rail'. At a business lunch organised by Solihull Chamber of Commerce Ms Spellman said that while she sympathised with residents and businesses who would be displaced, there is a real case to support HS2. 

She said: "London Euston to Birmingham International will take 31 minutes.  The brownfield sites around Birmingham International are huge areas which give the region the opportunity to attract inward investment. The 31 minute journey will encourage re-location out of London, with the attraction of being located in the middle of the country.  

"We cannot expand at Gatwick. Birmingham has a runway and approval to expand it and it is under utilised. The 31 minute journey will support train journeys to Birmingham.

"Government can't organise a campaign and promote the view, so it is up to the business community to call for HS2 and to make the case, because it is what the West Midlands needs.  The new railway line will help re-balance the country's economy."

When asked what businesses should do, she said there is a need to look into the digital age, a website or face book page to campaign for HS2.  She said that in her view, the high speed rail exhibition which is touring Solihull doesn't show the benefits to business sufficiently.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group who was present at the lunch said "The business benefits to the region of HS2 are compelling. It will create 22,000 permanent jobs and a GVA impact of £1.5bn by 2026. Solihull businesses backs HS2 with 80 per cent of our members believing it will benefit the Greater Birmingham economy and almost two thirds saying it will benefit their business. 

"But we must not rest on our laurels. We will pick up Caroline's challenge and work even harder to ensure all businesses are given every opportunity to understand these benefits and how their businesses can plan for growth as a result. 

"This starts by working with Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Centro, the Local Enterprise Partnership and others to get the right messages out to businesses across the West Midlands. We will play a full role in engaging our 9000 members in the campaign through our Twitter and Linked In accounts 

"We must not give Government the option to forget about our region." 

The event was sponsored by Wordsmith Communications.