Member Article

Newcastle lost casino due to "woeful" roads investment

The Government should come clean on its policy for the North East after Newcastle’s perceived remoteness cost it the opportunity to host a super-casino, according to the North East Chamber of Commerce. The business membership organisation has challenged ministers to address the perception issue which the NECC believes is “clearly unfounded”.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “During more than a decade of rule this Government has had no fewer than eight North East Members of Parliament – including the Prime Minister – holding Cabinet office in London, many more in junior ministerial posts and yet we are still viewed as a geographically remote region. “With the country’s main rail route running right through the North East and two burgeoning airports, this perception is clearly unfounded. However, continued woeful investment in road infrastructure in the North East is a blight on our otherwise remarkable growth story.

“This Government has to wake up to the fact that it is becoming the principal cause of arrested development in the North East. NECC would like it to come clean on its priorities for a region it has often singled out as needing rapid economic growth. It has the opportunity to rectify this problem in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and NECC would urge it to stop paying lip service and instead to take positive action.”

Mr Ramsbotham added that he was bemused by the comments of geographic remoteness, pointing to Newcastle’s worldwide reputation as a party city and the fact that the city enjoys one of the highest levels of hotel occupancy in the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .