Calls for area to have own HS2 station

NORTH Staffordshire must reap the benefits of a proposed high speed rail link, councillors have insisted.

Members of Newcastle Borough Council's cabinet has given its support to the HS2 scheme, on the condition there is a local station.

Council leader Gareth Snell said: "One of our key aims is to secure investment and jobs.

"We believe that the HS2 proposals could underpin future economic regeneration and employment opportunities as well as providing a solution to the growing transport congestion issues.

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"We will support the principle of high speed rail so long as there are clear economic benefits for North Staffordshire and we will be pushing for a station to realise those benefits."

The HS2 plans involve two phases – the first linking London and Birmingham, and the second linking Birmingham with Leeds and Manchester.

The Government will undertake a consultation exercise on the proposals in the coming months.

Councillor Eddie Boden, portfolio holder with responsibility for planning, regeneration and town centres, said: "We recognise that there are growing congestion problems on the M6 and this could hamper our efforts to attract new jobs and employment in the future.

"A high speed rail network and local station, serving Crewe to the west and Stoke to the east, would be highly desirable and very beneficial to the people of Newcastle."