Member Article

Ageing infrastructure stifling northern cities' growth

A chronic underinvestment in the infrastructure of northern cities in the in UK is hampering growth, a report by the RSA City Growth Commission says.

The report suggests over-centralised decision making has failed to encourage connectivity between metropolitan areas, and suggests they need a stronger voice at the heart of government.

Commission Chair, Jim O Neill said: “We recommend the government considers making two bold decisions regarding its infrastructure policy. The first is to provide metros with a strong, powerful voice that can influence and guide decision making at a national level.

“For too long, our cities have not had a seat at the table, and this has been to the detriment of northern metros in particular, as well as the economic growth of the UK economy as a whole.

“The second is to place connectivity between metros at the heart of any infrastructure investment, in particular via multiple transport links between cities and better broadband technology.

“Whilst the UK is starting to move in the right direction – with the creation of Infrastructure UK and the Chancellor’s recent proposal for a connected ‘Northern Powerhouse’ – there is still some way to go.”

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .