Shropshire tourism can benefit from HS2, says councillor

Councillor Mansel Williams said Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils needed to work together to market sites in the county, such as the project to restore the Flax Mill in Shrewsbury into a business and leisure attraction, and the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site.

Councillor Williams said he was in favour of HS2 and although it is not passing through the county, Shropshire could still benefit if the county properly markets its attractions.

"This area has got to rise up to meet the challenge. We have got to get the tourist product absolutely into top gear," he said.

"HS2 is coming and we have got to put ourselves on the map. That is the challenge for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. HS2 is a European link – this is not just a through train to London.

"The Flax Mill has got to be marketed with the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site – we are in all this together. We have got to work together."

His comments come after the National Audit Office raised concerns about the high-speed rail project earlier this week, stating there is an estimated £3.3 billion funding gap for the scheme. It is hoped the first trains will run on the HS2 line around 2026.

The Department for Transport says phase one will cut London to Birmingham travel times to 49 minutes, from the current one hour and 24 minutes. The HS2 phase two would almost halve journey times between Birmingham and Manchester to just 41 minutes and between London and Manchester from two hours and eight minutes to one hour and eight minutes.

l The Shropshire Star has this week launched a campaign to raise the profile of the county's visitor attractions. Entries are now open for the Tourism & Leisure Awards, with categories for hotels, pubs, attractions, days and and nights out, and quality food offerings. For details, log onto www.shropshirestar.com/tourism-awards