High-speed Rail
Debate between Susan Elan Jones and Karen Lumley(12 years, 10 months ago)
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Susan Elan Jones
My hon. Friend speaks with considerable expertise in this area and I am grateful for her intervention.
Indirectly, HSl enabled the delivery of three major development schemes, in Ebbsfleet, Stratford and King’s Cross, which are all areas in need of regeneration. Some 15,000 homes and 70,000 jobs were created. The project delivered £3.8 billion of transport benefits, which, combined with the operating surplus, offsets the whole project cost.
Independent reports found, in conclusion, the following:
“it is clear that overall the scheme represents high value for money”.
Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)
Does the hon. Lady agree that the project will provide wider access to Birmingham airport, with a journey time of just 49 minutes? That will ease congestion in the London area and make Birmingham and the west midlands more attractive.
Susan Elan Jones
I certainly agree with the hon. Lady. The project will also make her journeys to Wrexham quicker, which I believe is her old home.