Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Peers say high-speed rail ‘must not harm north-east’

Post Thumbnail

A group of peers has warned that areas such as northern Scotland must not lose investment as a result of the £50billion HS2 rail project.

In a new report which raises doubts about the controversial scheme, the UK Government has been urged to ensure the East Coast Mainline to Aberdeen is upgraded if HS2 proceeds.

Concerns were raised in 2013 after it emerged in a secret report that the economy in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray stood to lose up to £225million a year because of firms moving closer to the high-speed lines.

Business groups such as the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce gave evidence to the House of Lords economic affairs committee as part of its inquiry into HS2.

The north-east organisation said most companies would welcome the project, but steps must be taken to ensure the region does not lose out.

In its recommendations, the peers said: “HS2 must not lead to a reduction in investment in improving other areas of the UK rail network.

“Investment on lines such as the East Coast Mainline north of Leeds, or rail services elsewhere in the country, could play an important role in stimulating growth outside the south-east.

“Any reduction as a result of HS2 could mean these areas lose out.”

The first phase of HS2, from London to Birmingham, is due to open in 2026, with a second Y-shaped phase to Manchester and Leeds due for completion around 2032/33, although this date might be brought forward.

A third phase to Glasgow and Edinburgh has also been pencilled in, but no firm dates have been announced.

The committee concluded that the government had yet to make a convincing case for HS2.

Lord Hollick, the group’s chairman, said: “At £50 billion HS2 will be one of the most expensive infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK but the government have not yet made a convincing case for why it is necessary.

“The committee are supportive of investment in rail infrastructure, but are not convinced that HS2 as currently proposed is the best way to deliver that investment.”

He added: “London is likely to be the main beneficiary from HS2”.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The case for HS2 is crystal clear.

“It will have a transformational effect, supporting growth in the north by improving connectivity, freeing up space on our crowded rail network, promoting regeneration, boosting local skills, generating tens of thousands of jobs and helping secure the UK’s future prosperity.”