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Region must be on High Speed Rail network, says NECC

The government must include the North East in their plans for High Speed Rail networks if they are committed to rebalancing the UK economy, according to the NECC.

In a letter to the business secretary, James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the NECC, called for the government to feature the region on the final route to maximise the opportunities the new links will offer, whilst rebalancing the whole of the UK market.

He said: “The North East is currently the only region in the UK with a positive balance of trade, and businesses require world class links to their markets in order to generate wealth and jobs and drive economic growth.

“Implemented in the correct way, HSR could form a valuable part of an integrated transport network that helps to offer world class access to markets in the UK and beyond.”

The NECC has previously raised concerns that failure to include the North East as part of the planned route could force many businesses out of the region, as well as exacerbating economic disparity by pushing investment towards locations on the HSR line.

He added: “The Government must give a legislative guarantee that the high speed line will continue North to Leeds and beyond to the North East in due course.

“This should be done in such a way that reassures the private sector in the North East, yet does not delay the progression of a HSR bill.”

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