Leeds City Region plan to maximise HS2 impact launched

An ambitious plan to use HS2 as the spark to create thousands of jobs for the Leeds City Region is launched today (January 15th).Around 300,000 jobs are expected to be created over the period covered by the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy including 41,000 from proposals set out in the plan, 5,000 from construction and a further 40,000 from the broader economic impact of HS2 which has the potential to add more than £54bn to the region’s economic output.The transformation of Leeds Station, the improvement of connections along major transport corridors across the Leeds City Region and the regeneration of key sites in Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, York and the Leeds South Bank are among the schemes which could be accelerated by HS2.The strategy sets out plans to make the Leeds City Region an international centre of excellence in light and high speed rail skills and support supply chain companies in rail, transport, construction and engineering. It highlights University of Leeds proposals to create a High Speed Rail engineering centre of excellence and technology park.It includes the ambition to reach every pupil in the Leeds City Region to enthuse and excite the next generation of engineers, technicians and other professionals, attracting young people to the HS2 and transport infrastructure workforce in record numbers.HS2 is also expected to make the Leeds City Region a more attractive location for inward investment and generate a significant increase in tourism.The strategy makes the case for £20m to carry out further feasibility work and determine the total level of financial support required to implement the proposals which is likely to be significant.