Mayor calls for HS2 commitment from Boris Johnson
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says he wants a "recommitment" to HS2 from Boris Johnson following his election victory.
The Prime Minister has ordered a review of the high-speed line but Mr Street said it is essential the £80bn scheme goes ahead and any doubts about its future are erased. A leaked report has suggested HS2 is likely to continue largely as planned.
The mayor also called for more investment into the West Midlands rail network.
Mr Street, who has suggested the name of HS2 needs to be changed due to the baggage the scheme carries, said it was time to end the uncertainty.
He said: "HS2 will play a central role in spreading prosperity across the nation by drawing investment into the cities it will serve. A recommitment to build HS2 is essential to raise our productivity, ignite our regions and keep us competitive on the world stage.
"In the West Midlands, we are already seeing investment as a result of HS2, but uncertainty over its future is putting that at risk. Sites have been prepared for the next phase of building. It is time to commit fully, and galvanise our construction industry."
On local train services, the mayor added: "We are already making headway on this in the south of Birmingham and the Black Country, reopening stations to link isolated communities to opportunity, with a further phase of re-openings identified in Wolverhampton and Coventry. Extending this will illustrate that we will not allow communities to be left behind."
