The saga of Stoke-on-Trent and HS2 stretches back a number of years - however this week’s announcement by PM Boris Johnson confirms that the city will continue to be HS2 connected, after concerns that the Oakervee Review would remove connection to the city. Secretary of State Grant Shapps was clear that the Handsacre Link that would provide HS2 services to Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent remains part of the plan. This follows a period of intense lobbying by local council leaders, MPs and business representatives, who were concerned about the removal of Handsacre.
HS2 is controversial - however the inclusion of Stoke-on-Trent sends a strong message about the resurgence of our city and its important to the UK.
Below are photos of the #HS2AllTheWay ‘protest’, as well as an interview I did with Radio Stoke on the day that HS2 was confirmed. There has been significant coverage also in The Sentinel here.