Logistics UK reacts to speculation about part-cancellation of HS2 Project

Friday 27 January 2023

Reacting to speculation that the Euston-Old Oak Common stretch of the HS2 project could be cancelled or delayed, due to the impact of inflation on the delivery costs, Kate Jennings, Policy Director at business group commented:

“HS2 and other ambitious infrastructure projects are vital for unlocking economic growth across the country. For the country’s essential logistics system, which is at the heart of all economic activity, HS2 will mean more capacity on the existing railway for freight and enable a shift from road to rail to cut carbon emissions. Stop-start investment in development projects undermines confidence and adds cost in the long run. Logistics businesses need assurances from government that this, and other, projects will be delivered as planned, so they can invest confidently in a more efficient and greener future.  ”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.