Member Article

North East transport links must be improved

North East transport links must be improved if more businesses in the region are to begin exporting, according to the North East Chamber of Commerce. (NECC).

A survey of the organisation’s members showed that a third of all businesses are exporting their goods and services overseas, but 24% of those questioned said that poor transport connections are still a barrier to trading internationally.

NECC Director of Policy, Ross Smith, said: “In the North East in particular, exporting plays a vital role in rebalancing the economy and ensuring a lasting recovery.

“The region boasts excellent airport routes and two hugely important international ports. However, we would urge the government to press ahead with a host of vitally important road infrastructure improvements that would alleviate congestion and boost connectivity.”

The NECC is now calling for links to Newcastle International Airport to be prioritised, as the airport is currently running over capacity.

The survey also indicated that 45% of businesses feel that trade connections are a barrier to exporting, while more than half of the businesses who would consider exporting are concerned by the cost of trade connections from the region.

One in five also cited domestic transport links as a concern.

Ross added: “These are concerning findings for the Government as it calls on British companies to double exports by 2020.

“The North East boasts a wealth of fantastic companies as well as an excellent airport and two high-performing international ports. While they continue to perform tremendously improvements to their surrounding road and rail network would support their ongoing development.”

Air Passenger duty is also a serious problem for the region. The Tax, which is only applied in the UK, increases costs and is off putting to businesses who are considering expanding overseas. It is especially damaging in the North East where the Government has pledged to generate towards more private sector activity.

He added: “The North East could be contributing so much more to UK Plc. By approving key infrastructure projects across the North East and removing barriers such as APD we could further improve on our already impressive export performance.”

The North East report is part of a larger survey by the British Chamber of Commerce, who are now calling for a comprehensive UK aviation strategy, measures to encourage private sector investment infrastructure and acceleration of the implementation of road tolling.

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