THE CONTROVERSIAL HS2 rail project could hand a £375million economic boost to Worcestershire according to Pershore’s MP.
Harriett Baldwin offered her support to the high speed rail project which will see faster rail links between Birmingham and London.
Analysis by management consultants KPMG that claimed the project could benefit Worcestershire by as much as £375 million on completion.
Mrs Baldwin supported the Government motion for the project which was approved by the House of Commons last week despite a Conservative backbench rebellion.
But the West Worcestershire MP told the Observer it was still important to continue to invest in improving the local infrastructure connections.
Among the projects she hoped to see completed was the Cotswold Line train link and major roads across the county including the heavily congested Carrington Road bridge.
“It stands to reason that a faster rail link from Birmingham International to London and the continent beyond will be good for Worcestershire businesses.” she said.
“The next phase will whizz us to Manchester as well. Now detailed analysis of the HS2 project shows by how much the Worcestershire economy could benefit.
“I will still be campaigning for a faster, more frequent and more reliable Cotswold line service, a Worcestershire parkway station, dualling of the Carrington bridge to Powick roundabout and flood resilience for the main roads through Upton.
“With the Ketch roundabout work starting this week and dualling to junction seven of the M5, we have shown we have a team of Worcestershire MPs, councillors and a local enterprise partnership who are all committed to investing in local
infrastructure.
“All of this infrastructure spending, which generates jobs and growth is only possible because we have a long term economic plan which has kept interest rates low and made this country an attractive place to invest.” she added.
