WIREDGOV

New grants to support communities and businesses near HS2. 

Communities and businesses near the new HS2 high speed railway will benefit from grants worth millions, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill announced today (10 October 2014).

The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) will make up to £30 million available for residents and local communities between London and Birmingham to invest in public projects such as the refurbishment of local community centres, nature conservation and measures to support local economies and employment.

Community groups, charities, non-governmental organisations and business support organisations will be able to bid for grants from the new funds, which are expected to be rolled out when construction starts in 2017, following Royal Assent of the High Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) Bill. Grants will be awarded until the end of HS2’s first year of operation in 2026.

Robert Goodwill said:

HS2 is crucial to the long-term prosperity of this country. It will free up space on our railways, cut journey times between our biggest cities and drive forward our economy for years to come.

However, it’s only right we do all we can to help those living and working close to this vital railway. These new funds, totalling £30 million, are in addition to the comprehensive package of support we have already announced and will further help communities and businesses make the most of this once in a generation scheme and crucial part of the government’s long-term economic plan.

The 2 funds are in addition to the extensive plans already in place to minimise the impacts of HS2’s construction and operation. These include the comprehensive package of compensation and assistance for property owners, which the government set out earlier this year, and the wide ranging measures that we will put in place to enable local people and businesses to obtain employment and contracts arising from construction and operation of the railway.

Local authorities and environmental groups have spoken in favour of the establishment of a Community Fund, similar to the Countryside Initiative which was set up as part of constructing HS1.

The CEF will support local projects that bring community and environmental benefits to areas affected by HS2. Part of the pot will fund small scale community projects, the remainder will fund larger schemes that have third party or match funding.

Local authorities and business groups have also spoken in favour of the need for measures to support local economies that may be impacted by HS2 construction works. The BLEF will do just that by inviting business groups to bring forward projects that will maintain business activity and employment in their local communities.

The not-for-profit charity New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), which has extensive experience of similar grant schemes, will be working with HS2 Ltd to ensure the funds are delivered in the most effective way possible. This will include engagement with local authorities and local enterprise partnerships along the route to get their feedback on the proposals for the detailed eligibility and application criteria for the fund. These are expected to be published in 2015, enabling local communities to plan ahead.