The decision this week to route HS2 into central Sheffield and shelve plans for a terminus at Meadowhall could breathe new life into the Yorkshire city’s centre.
“I have always been of the view that if HS2 was put at Meadowhall, the way things are going we might as well shut the city centre, because everything is aimed at Meadowhall,” said Martin Crosthwaite of Sheffield agent Crosthwaite Commercial.
He said this was the first step in the city centre fighting back.
Mark Latham, regeneration director at Urban Splash, said: “The arrival of HS2 in the city centre is a massive positive for the long-term future of Sheffield. It’s a massive bonus. Meadowhall was not the right decision in terms of sustainability and the drag of car travel.”
Under new proposals released in the HS2 Plus report, trains from London will take a spur off the line and travel straight into the existing Sheffield Midland station.
HS2 chairman David Higgins said: “I have listened to the discussions that have taken place on how HS2 should best serve South Yorkshire and recommend the option of HS2 services using the existing city centre station.”
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