A report released yesterday by Volterra suggests that Birmingham
could gain 80,700 jobs by 2030. The Core cities of the UK, the 8
most economically important cities excluding London, could see as
many as 400,000 new jobs created, with that figure rising to one
million in their wider urban areas. However this growth could
be jeopardised if the Government fails to invest in HS2.
To see the levels of growth predicted the Core Cities would see
an extra 150,000 new arrivals a day. This represents around
80,000 additional trips a day on the High Speed Rail Line.
Ross Gurdin, Transport Policy Adviser at the Birmingham Chamber
of Commerce Group said:
"Given the disappointing growth figures we have just seen and
the still high levels of unemployment in the City it would be
scandalous if we allowed the proposed HS2 line to be scuppered.
"In 2009 more miles were covered by train passengers than at any
point in the past 60 years and yet the current rail network is 40
per cent smaller than it was in 1950!
"The UK is ranked 34th in the world for its infrastructure
investment and its future growth will be endangered if we fail to
invest in HS2 now.
"We urge people to show their support for HS2 by completing the
government consultation which can be found on the Depart for
Transport's website."