Rail experts will make tracks to Huddersfield University to debate the merits of the controversial £50bn high-speed rail scheme.
The university is to stage a day-long conference to debate the pros and cons of HS2 and discover whether or not the North of England stands to gain from the massive project.
The event on Friday, November 15, is called HS2: Is there owt in it for t’North?
Speakers will include politicians, leading figures in the rail industry and academic researchers.
They will present their views during the morning session before a wide-ranging debate takes place.
Prof Colin Bamford, an expert on the economics of rail, promised a balanced view of the whole issue.
Colleague Prof Paul Salveson, a leading advocate of community railways, believes the money earmarked for the project to link London and the North with a high-speed line would be better spent improving the existing network.
Prof Bamford said HS2 would bring employment and economic benefits to the North and help to solve a looming crisis of insufficient capacity for passengers and freight on Britain’s railways.
Among those taking part will be Shadow Rail Minister Lilian Greenwood, whose keynote address is expected to support HS2.
A case against will be made by former British Rail senior manager Chris Stokes.
Other speakers will include Andrew McNaughton, technical director of the HS2 executive; Clr James Lewis, chairman of West Yorkshire Metro; Huddersfield Labour MP Barry Sheerman and Colne Valley Conservative MP Jason McCartney.
The conference will finish with a question and answer session and a panel discussion.
The conference begins at 10.30am. For ticket details contact Elizabeth Howe at eventsmanagement@hud.ac.uk or phone 01484 473265 or 07717 683674.
