Mark has today (19th April 2012) called for the Government to give serious consideration to expanding Birmingham airport into a UK hub airport. Mark said that doing so will bring thousands of jobs to the region particularly as journey times from London will be significantly decreased with the arrival of HS2.
Mark says: "Expanding the airport means that Birmingham will have direct access to the global economic powerhouses' of Asia and the US; that means more jobs for industry and business in the West Midlands.
It also means that the UK's air capacity problems in the South West be relieved and with the arrival of HS2, Birmingham will be accessible to the centre of London. This opportunity will both boost jobs in the region and the local economy and it will make Birmingham a gateway to the rest of the world."
Mark made his point during questions to the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening MP. This is an issue he is keen to pursue during him time as Wyre Forest's MP.
After HS2 passengers will be able to commute from Birmingham to London in 49 minutes, reducing the journey time by almost half from one hour and 24 minutes.