Chamber Reacts to HS2 Uncertainty
7 months ago
Responding to the increasing uncertainty about the future of HS2, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Director, Chris Fletcher, said: “To many people that have followed HS2 since its inception they will be aware that for some strange reason successive governments, usually driven by the Treasury, have found it impossible to leave it well alone and just let it get built.
“The resultant delays, changes and re-scoping have added extra, unnecessary costs and could, if rumours are correct, end up with a line that doesn’t even run to central London, just connects to Birmingham yet which has had the vast majority of costs sunk into it.
“Once again the north has been promised the earth but all it seems we’ll get is scorched earth.
“For the government to even be thinking about scrapping the northern leg is just madness and I find it difficult to comprehend the logic behind it. It neither makes sense economically nor politically. All we have had over the last decade are cut backs, delays and disappointments. This latest episode is the most serious threat yet and we urge government to think again.”
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK, providing business support to approximately 4,500 members who collectively employ 446,000 people, around one-third of Greater Manchester’s workforce.
Recognised as a leader in its field, Greater Manchester Chamber’s reputation in government circles has grown locally and nationally. At the heart of the area of greatest economic intensity outside London and the South East, the Chamber is the primary body for business support, policy, representation and networking.
The Chamber is an independent, not-for-profit private company and its aim is to support businesses and help create the best climate for the region to prosper. This is achieved by ensuring that those taking decisions on key issues such as transport, taxation and business regulation hear the voice of our members. The representation of our members’ views is central to the work of the policy team at the Chamber; these views are gathered in a range of ways including our local councils, policy committees, sector councils, the main Chamber council, focus groups, meetings with politicians and consultations.
The Chamber also offers a range of networking forums across Greater Manchester, free as part of membership, plus a variety of other events and services designed to benefit specific sectors or individuals and help businesses to grow.