We have submitted a response to the BEIS Committee call for evidence on post-pandemic economic growth. The response focuses on the rail sector in the areas as outlined by the Committee and highlights the role a national high speed rail network, including HS2, could play in the country’s recovery and future economic growth post-pandemic.
This is particularly the case given HS2 is a project that is not just ‘shovel ready,’ but underway. It’s scale and positive economic impact means it needs to be considered within the economic recovery approach ahead. This submission also looks at how high speed rail will be key in helping to achieve the Government’s net zero and levelling up goals, as well as the underpinning its Industrial Strategy.
The key points of our submission are:
- High speed rail has an essential role to play in kickstarting the economy and enabling post pandemic growth;
- In particular, HS2 and associated high speed rail schemes will be key to rebalancing the economic geography of the UK, supporting the UK’s net zero targets and protecting and future proofing jobs;
- Achieving sustainable growth and a green recovery will require big changes to the way that we travel, and only HS2 can provide the capacity and journey time savings to make the modal shift from air and road to rail a reality.
You can read the full submission here: HSRG BEIS Super Inquiry response