SOME of the most prominent business organisations have all come together to sign an open letter calling on the next Prime Minister to publicly commit to completing HS2 in its entirety.

The groups are urging the next Prime Minister to offer their unwavering support to the project, explaining it is the only way to ensure the country benefits fully from a once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive regional economic growth and rebalance the economy.

The letter has been signed by more than 20 business leaders, including the CBI, Institute for Directors, Federation of Small Business, Chambers of Commerce, London First and Business Improvement Districts such as Bradford's. The signatories represent hundreds of large and small businesses, employing tens of thousands of people across the North.

The open letter states: "Our support must not flounder or stall. We must unite to deliver HS2 in full, and we urge you to join us by offering your vocal and unwavering support. Help make HS2 happen for everyone, and help us all achieve our full potential. To our next potential Prime Minister we say – back it, build it, benefit from it."

The groups argue that committing to HS2 in full, once and for all, will spread the flow of investment across the Midlands, the North of England and into Scotland. The current poor connectivity in the North is a major obstacle to encouraging companies from growing in the region and is a barrier to inward investment.

The letter has been released to coincide with the anniversary of the Northern Powerhouse. The idea of a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ was first introduced, on the 23rd June 2014 by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in a speech in Manchester. He said the Powerhouse ‘means jobs and prosperity and security for people here over future decades.’ The former Chancellor outlined an ambition to bring together the great cities, towns and rural communities of the North of England and Wales to fuel economic growth, through modern transport links, a revolutionary new style of governance and increased investment.

According to Transport for the North, a body established to remedy historically poor infrastructure, fewer than 10,000 people in the North can access four or more of the North’s largest economic centres within an hour, dragging down productivity.

The signatories assert that HS2 Phase One, connecting London to the West Midlands, has led to record levels of Foreign Direct Investment in to the West Midlands, with more than 7,000 new jobs created in Birmingham as a direct result of HS2, and over 100,000 more expected around the new Curzon Street and Interchange stations. The groups argue the same could be seen throughout The North if the scheme is delivered.

Commenting, CBI Regional Director Beckie Hart said: “HS2 is more than just a railway line, it’s a key that unlocks future jobs, training and regeneration opportunities that will benefit us all.

“Its construction is key to the success of future infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Rail Hub that will boost productivity and help rebalance our nation.

“We must unite to deliver HS2 in full, and we urge you to join us by offering your vocal and unwavering support. Our message to the next Prime Minister is clear - help make HS2 happen for everyone, and help our region achieve our full potential.”