Centro, the Midlands transport authority, has renewed calls for High Speed Two.
The new fast rail link will help boost capacity on the region’s railways.
Says Centro chief executive, Geoff Inskip, ‘We must have HS2 as soon as possible if we are to cope with escalating West Midlands demand for rail services.’
Centro gave evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for High Speed Rail at Westminster on April 18.
Geoff Inskip reports that 22.8 million passenger journeys were made in the West Midlands conurbation in 2000/01.
This has now almost doubled to 42.8 million journeys by 2010/11. The APPG inquiry has been set up to examine the UK’s rail capacity needs.
‘What is often overlooked is the important fact that HS2 releases capacity for more train services on our existing lines allowing us to provide better local and regional rail in our region. It might not grab the headlines but it’s vital because this means we can get more people to work, reduce congestion and overcrowding and take freight off our roads. This will significantly boost our economy,’ says Geoff.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening gave the go-ahead for HS2 on January 10 after a public consultation.
