The government has called on businesses and local areas to make the most of the potential of the HS2 rail link.

According to the transport secretary, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships are the key to unlocking the regeneration opportunities presented by the infrastructure project.

In it's response to the independent HS2 Growth Taskforce's report, the government has pledged to work alongside businesses and localities to ensure they are able to capitalise on HS2 by developing growth strategies and local delivery bodies.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "In responding to the Growth Taskforce we are giving our full support to local areas to develop their 'HS2 growth strategies' and transform cities, towns and regions into magnets for growth."

Earlier this week, Birmingham announced its regeneration plans for the HS2 Curzon Street site. Other cities that will be linked by the railway are currently working closely with the government in response to the Growth Taskforce recommendations.