HS2 through Derbyshire may cost jobs, say county council

The government said thousands of jobs could be created during the HS2 project

Hundreds of jobs could be lost as a result of the proposed HS2 rail line running through Derbyshire, the county council has claimed.

The authority said part of the enterprise zone at Markham Vale may have to be put on hold while the route is decided - costing up to 400 jobs.

It also added that commercial buildings would be lost in Renishaw and Long Eaton for the HS2 line to go through.

HS2 Limited said it would look at any regeneration projects affected.

'Enormous benefits'

The government said thousands of jobs would be created during the multi-billion pound HS2 project.

But Derbyshire County Council said the uncertainty of the scheme was displacing jobs and having a "severe" impact on job creation.

Ben Ruse, HS2 Ltd lead spokesperson, said: "HS2 will deliver enormous benefits to the East Midlands, including the creation of approximately 1,600 jobs, faster journey times to the UK's major cities and freeing up much-needed capacity on the East Coast Mainline.

"The public consultation for Phase Two has been attended by more than 7,000 people.

"HS2 Ltd will be looking at the feedback received through the consultation, and the feasibility of any existing regeneration proposals, such as Markham Vale."

The proposed high-speed route through Derbyshire is part of phase two from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

A station has not been planned for Derbyshire, but it suggests any such route may pass close to several towns, including Ripley and Alfreton.

The East Midlands section of the route plans to stop in Toton, in Nottinghamshire. The final decision on the second phase of the HS2 route is due to be taken later this year.

The Markham Vale businesses park, part of a £77m regeneration project near Bolsover, aims to create 5,000 jobs in the area.