VIDEO: Major HS2 debate in Sheffield this week

The event - called ‘Getting the right location for the Sheffield City Region HS2 station: the role of business’ - will be held this Thursday February 18 at Sheffield City Hall.

Speakers will go head to head to discuss whether the station - which is expected to be a boost to the economy - should be in the city centre or at Meadowhall.

The summit has been organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, which is campaigning with The Star, and a host of public and private sector bodies, for an HS2 stop in Sheffield city centre to maximise the economic benefit of the line - including 6,500 more jobs than at the Government’s choice of Meadowhall.

However others, including MPs in Barnsley, say that a Meadowhall station would be better for the city region as a whole.

The chamber’s executive director Richard Wright, said: “The current options are a parkway type station at Meadowhall, or a city centre location on the site of the old Victoria station. The final decision still has to be made.

“The incredible in-depth knowledge of the speakers we have lined up for this event means that we will be able to draw upon all the information and impartial opinion that we need.

“I’m very much looking forward to welcoming these fantastic speakers to the Sheffield City Region. HS2 will, without doubt, have enormous implications for the future economy of the region.”

The event at The Memorial Hall at Sheffield City Hall, will run from 8am to 10:30am.

For more information or to book a place visit www.scci.org.uk/events.