Press release

High Speed rail is 'vital to the future of British engineering'

January 06, 2012

On the day that over 100 business leaders, economists, MPs and trade unionists wrote to several national newspapers backing the HS2 scheme to link London and Birmingham, Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:

"High speed rail is absolutely vital to the future of British engineering, creating jobs and long-term economic and technological benefits that will far outweigh the short-term costs. While we need to take into account the views of those affected by the new lines, we should not let a vocal minority risk this country's economic future."