Commenting on today's release of the HS2 Command Paper, Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE chief executive of Association For Consultancy & Engineering (ACE) said:

"We welcome the announcement by the government of the full proposed route of HS2 beyond Birmingham and Crewe in today's command paper. This is a strong sign of the commitment Mrs May and her ministers have to this vital project, which will bring economic regeneration opportunities, increased capacity, and better connectivity to our major urban centres and also create large employment opportunity across the corridor.

"The combination of Government decision on HS2 and Heathrow extension should help to mitigate some of the uncertainty in the market and improve confidence in the infrastructure investment.

"The task of the supply chain now is to ensure they are ready to deliver on this huge project and we will be working with our members and the government to make this a reality. We must also work together to continue advocating for this project, as the HS2 Phase 1 hybrid bill passes through the Lords, and the phase 2 hybrid bill is developed."

ENDS