Chesterfield council leader makes plea as vital HS2 plans 'at risk of being thwarted'

‘Don’t Cut Here! A Case Study on Why the Economies of Chesterfield and Sheffield need HS2 in Full’ was released last month urging the Government to fully develop HS2’s eastern leg.

The case study was released by Chesterfield Borough Council, in conjunction with Connecting Britain, to highlight what it says are HS2 East’s ‘enormous opportunities for the UK economy that will drive growth, but which are currently at risk of being thwarted’.

It follows the National Infrastructure Commission’s ‘Rail Needs Assessment for the North and Midlands’, which was published in December and included an option to leave out most of Line 2b East until 2050 and beyond – something which local authorities claim would have a ‘devastating’ economic impact on the region.

Chesterfield Borough Council referenced the Staveley Corridor regeneration, which promises a huge scope of opportunity for the area, with creation of jobs, infrastructure, housing and inward investment.

Opportunities for growth and regeneration also include the £125m reopening of the Barrow Hill Line, a £100m link road, the development of 3,500 new homes and the creation of 2,200 new jobs around the area.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council leader, said she was ‘hugely disappointed’ by the option presented.

She said: “After decades of underinvestment in strategic rail infrastructure, delivering HS2 is a once in a generation chance to transform connectivity, attract investment, create new jobs, build new homes, boost skills and opportunity and level-up communities. This is even more crucial to our economic future in optimising recovery from the pandemic.

“It is vital that the eastern leg of HS2 is delivered in full and that delivery starts as soon as possible.

"This is about more than just rail and trains – it’s about new jobs, new homes and new starts for communities that have been denied these opportunities over many years.

“This is a critical issue for Chesterfield and Staveley. I will not rest in working with council and business leaders along the planned Eastern Leg to hold Government to account and to ensure that the Prime Minister honours his commitment to deliver HS2 East in full.

"Time is of the essence to re-assert the strength of Chesterfield’s social and economic case ahead of Government’s planned publication of its Integrated Rail Plan.”