Two Speed Britain? How High Speed Rail will affect our regions and cities.
Can High Speed Rail end the North-South divide?
To debate these changes the ITC hosted a discussion evening on 5th October, welcoming more than 50 senior experts from the rail, road, engineering, planning, urbanism, consultancy and local government sectors. The evening was chaired by Nigel Hugill, ITC Commissioner and Chairman of the Centre for Cities. Leading discussion were a panel of experts comprising ITC Patron and internationally acclaimed planning expert Professor Sir Peter Hall, Professor Henry Overman, Director of the Spatial Economics Research Centre at the LSE, and regional transport expert Matt Brunt, Assistant Director of the PTEG support unit.
ITC Commissioner Nigel Hugill introduces the debate
In a robust debate it was clear that there were very different views on the spatial consequences of High Speed Rail (HSR). Sir Peter Hall explained that research had demonstrated the profound effects of properly integrated HSR networks on local and regional regeneration, while Matt Brunt argued forcefully that the North of Britain would become increasingly isolated without better connectivity. On the other hand, Professor Overman forcefully suggested that who not where mattered when it came to regional development – in other words place was much less significant to the local economy than education, training and skills.
Sir Peter Hall explains the benefits of High Speed Rail
The audience discussion that followed the presentations reflected the emotive nature of the debate surrounding High Speed Rail. While some guests questioned the need for HSR as online connectivity became increasingly important, others noted the powerful way in which better travel connections could affect prosperity. Adrian Shooter CBE, illustrated this issue by pointing to the way in which the M40 and the superior services of Chiltern Railways had transformed the Chiltern region into one of the wealthiest areas of the EU, thanks to its good links to London and Birmingham.
The need to develop further research in this area was clear, and to conclude ITC Commissioner Professor John Worthington outlined a new research stream that the ITC would be developing on the spatial consequences of High Speed Travel. If you would like to find out more about this work, support the project financially, or get involved in the research, please contact the ITC Secretary.