More than 100 business leaders, MPs and economists have mounted a campaign backing plans to link Birmingham and London with a new high-speed rail line.

This is exciting news for the Midlands as it will encourage future investment in the area. It will also bring in more commuters and residents heightening economic prosperity in the area.

In terms of distribution and warehousing premises such a speedy transport link further enhances the midlands as a distribution hot spot. Already connected to major rail and motorway routes Coventry and the surrounding area is already highly demanded, such a project would only intensify that demand.

In letters to the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian, they say the HS2 rail line would create jobs and ease transport overcrowding.

It is understood ministers will decide next week whether to approve the £17bn London to Birmingham link. The 100-mile rail link, which would be built between 2016 and 2026, aims to cut the London to Birmingham journey time to 49 minutes.

The connection between the two cities would mark the first phase of HS2, with extensions further north later. A Y-shaped section taking branches to Manchester, Leeds and possibly further north could be finished by 2033.

The group urging the government to approve the rail link argues that it would be a boost for business, especially across the north of England, which has been hit hard in the economic slowdown.

The letter, which says up to one million British jobs could be created, states: “Economic studies show that effective modes of transport, including high-speed rail, enable entrepreneurs to get their goods and services to market in a secure and timely manner and facilitate the movement of workers to the most suitable jobs.”

It goes on: “The absence of a high-speed rail line connecting the north of England to London and the European Union is a continuous embarrassment to British businesses promoting UK plc overseas.”

Distribution premises can only benefit from the development as a high speed rail network will enhance an already highly demanded commercial sector.

Source: BBC