In the coming months the Government is expected to publish its integrated rail plan, outlining how High Speed 2 can work alongside existing rail plans and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

But the day after Royal Assent was granted an open letter was published by the High Speed Rail Group, which represents businesses in support of the project. It calls on the Prime Minister to ensure that connectivity improvements are prioritised towards Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

“This is vital,” the letter states, “if we are to ensure the benefits of the Government's investment in HS2 are felt far and wide across the country”.

Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan added: “Completing the eastern leg means the full connectivity and capacity benefits of the scheme will be realised.”

Announcement of Royal Assent for phase 2a of High Speed 2 came alongside launch of a growth strategy for the project by the West Midlands Combined Authority. It says the new railway could generate 175,000 jobs and £20Bn worth of investment in the region.

Transport for the North welcomed the Royal Assent for phase 2a, but its Northern Powerhouse rail director Tim Wood added: “It is essential now that the north gets certainty on the delivery of Phase 2b in full, on both sides of the Pennines, so that our communities are fully connected to the nation's high speed network.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described Royal Assent for phase 2a as “a historic milestone for this ambitious project, which is already creating and supporting thousands of jobs across the UK”.

He added: “I look forward to seeing spades in the ground to get this section built and deliver the benefits of high speed rail to the north as swiftly as possible.”

(Image: Capita)