TSSA urges government commitment to HS2

TSSA – the recognised union for HS2 staff – has called on the government to give an undertaking that the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail link will be built in full.

In recent days Downing Street refused to guarantee that HS2 would run between Birmingham and Manchester, with some suggestions that the line from Birmingham to London would terminate several miles north of Euston station.

Labour and the trade unions have given a formal commitment in the party’s National Policy Form document, released last week, ‘to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail and High Speed 2 in full', a position TSSA backs.

Commenting, TSSA Interim General Secretary, Peter Pendle, said: “For months we have been warning that HS2 is being dismantled by a series of poor decisions.

“No one can doubt that HS2 would be the critical driver of the British economy for many decades to come. At local, regional and national levels, the project would provide thousands of jobs and unlock huge potential for businesses.

“HS2 is the only way to build the clean, green transport network our country is crying out for, while providing much needed extra capacity on the rail network.

“We now need a clear undertaking from the government that HS2 remains a priority and there will be no rowing back on the vital project.

“Likewise, the commitment the Labour Party has given to building HS2 in full – not only to Manchester but the Eastern leg to Leeds – is welcome as the only sensible way ahead."

TSSA is the recognised union for directly employed HS2 staff.