Birmingham Council leader addresses calls to scrap HS2

The railway scheme has been mired in controversy after being plagued by serious challenges such as rising costs and delays.

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Just last December, HS2 revealed that the aim of getting trains running between Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station and London’s Old Oak Common Station in the target window of 2029 to 2033 could not be achieved.

Such setbacks have been met with frustration from residents and calls to scrap it from political figures such as Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice, who described it as “wasteful” and the “train to nowhere”.

His claim that axing HS2 would “save tens of billions” prompted a response from Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, last November.

The Labour Mayor pointed out on social media that scrapping the project would “rip out billions of investment already flowing into the West Midlands”.

“That might work for Tice and [Nigel] Farage’s social media strategy but it doesn’t work for the people who rely on real jobs and real growth,” Mr Parker added.

Asked about such calls to abandon HS2, Birmingham Council’s leader John Cotton said this week: “Firstly, it proves [Reform] are not actually a serious political party.

“Secondly [it proves] they do not understand the huge benefits that HS2 is already bringing to Birmingham.

“I encourage them to actually go down and meet with the apprentices who have been working at HS2, some of whom it’s their first entry into the labour market after a long period away.

“[They’re] learning cutting-edge skills in high-speed rail, a really important growth sector.”

Coun Cotton continued: “There’s also wider benefits, other people are now bringing business here to Birmingham because they know HS2 is coming.

“They’ve seen the transformation it’s delivering.

“We would be absolutely foolish to turn our back on all of that – it’s a really important part of Birmingham’s next chapter.”

HS2 said back in 2024 that as well as providing quicker and more reliable journeys, the project would drive a £10billion economic uplift in the West Midlands over the following 10 years – according to specialist research.

“HS2 is already boosting the West Midlands economy as we build the high-speed railway,” it said. “We’re seeing major property development and investment near our new HS2 stations and depot in Birmingham and Solihull.

“New landmarks are rising on local skylines.

“Improved transport connections and business confidence from HS2 are attracting developers.”

Last month, HS2 also said it had exceeded its target of creating 2,000 apprenticeships on the high-speed rail project.

Earlier in May, it confirmed that it had reached its goal of supporting 5,000 unemployed people into work.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “A skilled workforce is essential for the UK’s prosperity and economic growth.

“With tens of thousands of people currently working to deliver HS2, we stand in good stead to deliver this line as fast, and with the lowest cost, possible.”

Mark Wild, Chief Executive at HS2 Ltd, added: “Upskilling young people and the unemployed delivers long-term benefits for individuals and the economy.

“We’re building a pipeline of skilled workers that will support the UK’s growth for a generation.“

HS2 reset

In an end of year update, Mr Wild said recently that he made a commitment to address “the failures of the past and get HS2 on track”.

“It’s clear that we can only do so with a fundamental reset,” he continued.

“Over the last year we’ve been through the programme with a fine tooth comb and we’re now very close to establishing a clear path forward.

“However, we’ve not stood still. We had to deliver a safe and productive year while HS2 was reset and I want to thank the 34,000 people working on the project every day for their tremendous hard work.

“The solid progress they’ve made in the last year gives us strong foundations to build upon.”