Proposal to build HS2 in ‘phases’ prompts fears that it may not reach Chesterfield

Leaders in the North of England and the Midlands are "fighting with the government behind the scenes" over plans for a “phased delivery” of the 120-mile eastern leg of the project between Birmingham and Leeds, according to The Sunday Times.

This is expected to be one of the recommendations in an upcoming report by Sir John Armitt, who has been reviewing the plans for the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

According to the report in the Times, one option would be to build the HS2 line from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway as a “first phase” with the rest of the line through Chesterfield and Sheffield to Leeds to be built at a later date.

But the proposed plans could mean construction on the Yorkshire section would not begin until 2040, prompting serious concerns that it may never happen at all.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is vital that the Eastern Leg is delivered in full and as planned as soon as possible as both a way of levelling up areas like ours, and as part of the Covid-19 economic recovery.

"Any delay would impact the economic future of the region at a time when key stakeholders and businesses need clarity and certainty to move forward and recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“In Chesterfield we are developing comprehensive regeneration plans for both Staveley and the area around Chesterfield Station, based on the once in a lifetime opportunity that HS2 offers. We must reiterate our calls for Government to be clear and consistent about the support and schedule for the delivery of HS2.”

The former transport secretary Lord Adonis has also claimed the Yorkshire section “probably would not now go ahead” following a decision by ministers last month to split the eastern route, part of phase 2b of the scheme, into a second parliamentary bill, separate from that for the western leg of phase 2b from Crewe to Manchester.

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