The Prime Minister has recently announced that HS2 will be going ahead, following the recommendations of the independent Oakervee review on its benefits and impact. HS2 will form the backbone of the UK’s transport network, delivering a significant increase in rail capacity, with hundreds of thousands of extra seats. It will cut journey times, bring our biggest towns and cities closer together, enhance North-South connectivity, boost productivity in the East Midlands, and crucially it will help to spread prosperity more evenly across the country.
HS2 aside, the Government will still make a record £47.9 billion available for the rail network between 2019 and 2024. Indeed, this is the biggest investment in the railways since Victorian times. It will see commuter and main line routes being upgraded, the introduction of thousands of new carriages and reliability improved. I am pleased that the Government has also committed £500 million to drive forward the reversal of the controversial Beeching cuts and level-up regional economies by enhancing access to education and jobs. I appreciate that many of you may have concerns as there are impassioned arguments on both sides, but I truly believe that it will increase the opportunities that are brought to Broxtowe - especially with the East Midlands Hub being in our very own Toton.
Which is why it was also great to welcome the new dedicated Minister for HS2, Andrew Stephenson MP to our neck of the woods Toton where the HS2 East Midlands hub will be built, creating new opportunities for Broxtowe. I am understanding of the issues that some constituents face and discussed this with the HS2 Minister for reassurance
