A report produced by KPMG and published yesterday under a Freedom of Information request suggests that Wellingborough and other North Northamptonshire towns will lose out when HS2 is developed.
The report which states that Wellingborough’s economy could suffer by as as much as £39m (and Corby’s area by as much as £84m) was produced to assess the overall economic impacts of the infrastructure project and it is estimated overall that the net gain to the Country would be in the region of £15bn. However there are likely to winners and losers.
Chamber President, James Wilson, when quizzed on the issue on Radio Northampton stated that while not having read the report considered that the current investment in the electrification of the Midland Mainline was far more important to Wellingborough than HS2 would be. If the improvements to the rail network and station go ahead providing more reliable and faster trains to London and eventually Sheffield then the economic benefit may far outweigh an loss suffered by the impact of HS2.
He also stated that Wellingborough needed to prioritise the infrastructure provision for the town so that it can maximise the economic potential of the area. Stalled developments such as Stanton Cross and Wellingborough North needed to come forward to release much needed employment land to increase the town’s attractiveness as a location for commerce.
More information on the KPMG report here and here