Sheffield Tory MP calls for eastern leg of HS2 to be built in full to benefit wider region

A Conservative MP has joined calls to build the eastern leg of HS2 in full to rebuild the economy after the pandemic.
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Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said it had the potential to deliver ‘significant benefits’ to Sheffield and the wider region.

She spoke after doubt was cast on the route by the Rail Needs Assessment, published by the National Infrastructure Commission in December, which said the focus should be on linking cities in the North and Midlands first.

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It sparked a huge cross-party campaign in the North and Midlands that warned failing to build HS2 in full would be a betrayal and urging the Prime Minister to honour the commitment he made to the project in February last year.

Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge.Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge.
Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge.

Ms Cates said: “The eastern leg of HS2 has the potential to deliver significant benefits not just to Sheffield, but to the wider South Yorkshire region. This will be particularly important as we seek to rebuild our economy after the coronavirus pandemic.

"In order to see these benefits shared amongst our communities I have been urging the Government to consider the need to closely integrate HS2 with other projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail between Sheffield and Manchester, and local commuter schemes.

“That is also why I am campaigning to reopen the freight line between Stocksbridge and Sheffield to passenger services, and for upgrades to services on the Penistone Line.

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"A fully integrated rail system for South Yorkshire, and the wider North of England, is incredibly important if we are going to ensure that everyone can benefit from projects like HS2."

Earlier this week, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis sent a letter to the Prime Minister, co-authored with Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake and Nottinghamshire County Council leader Kay Cutts, stating: ‘Levelling up is an ambitious objective, and one that can make a real difference to the economies of the North and Midlands, as well as the quality of life and employment opportunities for people who live there.

‘The commitment to deliver the northern parts of HS2 in full is the first test of the reality of the levelling up agenda. Going back on this commitment would see levelling up fall at the first hurdle, and would make a vision of a balanced, fair country for everyone impossible to deliver’.

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