There are plenty of positive events for the region in the New Year, led by the building of the HS2 rail link to
London. Whatever the critics say about it, and there are many of them, the impact in the
Midlands will be substantial. Simon Lloyd of DTZ makes the point that the new line will allow the switching of freight from road to rail.
That has a wide impact, as is Birmingham Airport getting a fast link to London. Within
Birmingham, there will be the regeneration gain in Eastside with the new station and the boost to civic confidence that result. It should be remembered by the critics that it is not so much the time saving as the fact that existing lines will soon be up to full capacity given the growth in rail travel and the increase in the UK population.
The other factor that is helping restore confidence is the number of new developments proposed around the Midlands, from an expanded MIRA to business and industrial parks in Corby, Nottingham and
Northampton.
Finally, there is the revival of manufacturing, epitomised by Jaguar Land Rover’s expansion and the effect on the supplier companies and their need for increased space. Being close to the dynamic motor sports industry has been a major reason for Albion Land developing a new business park at Brackley near Silverstone.