HS2 economic advisor gives lecture on how high speed rail may transform East Midlands

The economic advisor to HS2 Ltd, the company responsible for developing and promoting the UK's new high-speed rail network, is to speak at The University of Nottingham on Monday 9 May 2016.

Roger Vickerman, Dean for Europe and Professor of European Economics at the University of Kent, will discuss the future economic impact that HS2 could have on the East Midlands region.

CEO of East Midlands Trains, Stuart Young; Chair of Midlands Connect, Sir John Peace and Rowena Limb, Area Director for Business, Innovation and Skills (East Midlands) will also be in attendance.

High-speed rail is often claimed to have a transformative effect on local economies as it improves transport connectivity, which in turn leads to enhanced growth and productivity between cities.

However, a counter argument is that that such effects are largely redistributive with some regions benefiting and others suffering, depending on their ability to take advantage of new opportunities.

This free lecture will explore the impact in similar cases, such as the HS1 line in Kent, to assess whether major transport investment can help to redress regional disparities, particularly if coupled with other policy interventions.

Professor Vickerman's research focuses on the relationship between transport (especially infrastructure), regional development and integration in the European Union.

Particularly known for his studies on major infrastructure projects, particularly high-speed rail, he is currently a member of the Economics Advisory Panel to HS2 Ltd and editor-in-chief of Transport Policy journal.

He has also served as an advisor to Committees of both the House of Commons and House of Lords and acted as a consultant to the European Commission, various government departments and regional and local government authorities in the UK and overseas.

This event has been coordinated by the Aerospace and Transport Technologies Research Priority Area (RPA) at The University of Nottingham.

The RPA has drawn together expertise in a range of disciplines, extensive industrial partnerships and successes as a world-leading centre for aerospace research collaboration with the aim to build an international profile for high-impact transport and mobility research.

Provided by University of Nottingham