HS2 will be worth it for Cheshire businesses, according to Local Enterprise Partnership boss
By Rich Wilcock
20th Feb 2023 | HS2
HS2 will "absolutely be worth it" according to Philip Cox as Cheshire Business Nub interviewed the Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) on a variety of subjects, including HS2.
Since work began on HS2, the expectation is that the construction project will provide 6,500 jobs in the Crewe area, where Philip believes the enormous possibilities of HS2 will first be felt.
"The opportunities for HS2 begin at Crewe, with the hub helping links to Chester and Wales and provides much quicker routes to Manchester also.
"Crewe is in a wonderful position, enabling many to get in and out of the county quicker, which in turn, makes other areas attractive for development."
Crewe is currently undergoing a massive £180 million regeneration programme, including investment in Royal Arcade, Lyceum Square, and crucially Crewe rail station itself, something which HS2 helped to unlock.
This investment and regeneration of the area which HS2 aims to bring have meant there is a sharper focus on its overall return once it is complete.
But Philip believes that once the Crewe Hub and HS2 link is finished, alongside the regeneration programme, it will act as a catalyst for the rest of the region.
"It will bring benefits to the whole of Cheshire, I'm sure".
He continues "It isn't enough for us to wait for the rail to come and stand back though and watch everything happens, we have more to do, as a LEP, and local and national governments to make sure there are attractive business opportunities, making Crewe and Crewe Hub investable and connected.
That means we can use it as a model perhaps, for other towns and areas within Cheshire to follow".
However, for HS2 to happen, it needs a partnership between various bodies to make it a reality.
The Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership is integral to ensuring inward investment keeps flowing into Cheshire, alongside providing a voice for business in conversations for the local and national government.
This link to inward investment, training and future prosperity for the region and the people who provide the money has meant that HS2 has played a crucial role in the Partnership's continued work within the region.
But whilst talk of investment and growth in Cheshire has gathered pace, the cost of the project and the disruption it will and already has caused leaves questions on whether it will be worth it to smaller businesses.
Phillip sees the potential here also though "If you're a small business in Cheshire and you're thinking what's the point, well there is one.
It will bring a much larger density of businesses to the area, which increases the opportunities and boosts supply chains."
His point can be backed up in part by the fact that it is projected that thousands of contracts are open for bidding in a variety of different sectors.
And these possible opportunities for business growth in Cheshire, may not have been possible without HS2, believes Phillip.
"We can't say for sure, but if you combine the Crewe Hub with the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail intersection at Warrington and the new HS2 station at Manchester Airport, that is potentially three fabulously attractive destinations for investment.
That boost in business may not have happened without HS2".
HS2 continues to divide many within the county and Cheshire East with some convincing of its benefits still to be made to some people but from a business perspective, it seems, certainly according to the LEP holds the key to the region's future prosperity.
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