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Northern Powerhouse: Leaders make unprecedented gathering to fight government on transport

It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it?

Key political and business leaders from across the north are congregating for the first time together in Leeds today (Wednesday 23 August), in a collective bid to seize a fairer transport deal from the Government.

The unprecedented gathering comes following widespread confusion and anger after the Transport Secretary cast doubt over long promised improvements to Northern railways.

Since Chris Grayling made his announcement around 70,000 people have signed an IPPR petition calling on the Government to immediately commit to East to West Crossrail for the North, also known as HS3 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, and to billions of pounds of ‘catch-up cash’ for Northern transport infrastructure.

The meeting also comes one day after civic leaders, businesses and former Chancellor George Osborne called on the Government to back East to West Northern Powerhouse Rail, connecting the cities of the North, in Autumn’s budget.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, business and civic Leaders said that the investment in Northern transport is ’not only fundamental to the success of the Northern Powerhouse, it is fundamental to the success of the entire country.

What are Northern Leaders saying ahead of the meeting?

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram, and the leaders of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Manchester councils will all be in attendance at the Summit.

Alongside Political Leaders, the summit will also bring together a range of business groups including Downtown in Business, the Northern Business Improvement Districts, Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Business (FSB), and the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham:

“Today’s event shows that the patience of people in the North of England has run out. We are getting organised and demanding the Government keeps all of its promises to people here and delivers a fair funding deal for the North of England.

“We are not against our capital city developing world class infrastructure but it cannot be at the expense of the North. People here have put up with clapped out trains and congested roads for long enough

“The fact we have such strong private sector support at this event shows that this not about party politics but civic and business leaders uniting to get fair deal for the North.

“The Government needs to show it is serious about rebalancing and revitalising our economy. We need to see clear prioritisation and a timetable for Crossrail for the North from the Government as well as other vital transport improvements going ahead as soon as possible.”

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake:

“Over 15 million people live in the north, yet twelve times more money is set to be spent per head on transport infrastructure in London than in the north. Passengers have for years had to put up with slow and overcrowded trains with east-west journeys in the north taking twice as long as they do in the south.

“Transforming rail connections across the north was part of the original plan to create a Northern Powerhouse and was estimated to bring £100bn in economic growth as well as 850,000 new jobs.

“The people of the north are demanding a direct commitment from Government to increase investment in transport and to settle for any less would hold back the potential of the north for decades to come.”

Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram:

“We are already in a situation where for every £1 spent on infrastructure projects in the North, £6 is spent in London and the South East. This is clearly not equitable, and neither does it make economic sense.

“Only by redressing this enormous imbalance in investment can we ever hope to create a balanced, resilient and successful economy. We need to see that projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail as are not simply for or about the North. They are vital national investments that will benefit the whole of the UK.”

Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council:

“The Government cannot simply sit back and hope the North goes quiet on its potential. This is our time, and ministers must show they are prepared to back our ambitions.

“That means transport investment. There is no Northern Powerhouse without it, there is no economic rebalancing without it, and there will be no silence until we get what we deserve.

“It is in the national interest that the economy of the North is empowered to grow. This gathering of businesses and elected leaders shows the strength of feeling across the North, and that the time has come for our voice to be heard and acted on.”

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council:

“Faster and more frequent rail services across the north are absolutely vital in order for our local and regional economy to grow, and also for giving people a transport system that is fit for purpose.

“It is clearly unacceptable that people living in the north still cannot quickly and easily commute between our towns and cities – all while billions of pounds is being poured into further improvements for transport links in London.

“The Government’s attempts to drop or water down some of the key improvements have put their whole commitment into question. It is crucial that they commit to making an integrated transport network across the whole of the north and especially a commitment to a Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“However, it is just as important that the Government recommits to the upgrades that will make a difference now - for example, changing their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midland Mainline.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council:

“Northern transport has suffered from underinvestment relative to London and the South East for decades.

“The government has acknowledged that improved transport links between our great northern cities, as well as HS2, is fundamentally important to unlocking the full potential of the North of England, supporting jobs and growth which will be even more vital in a post-Brexit landscape. As northern leaders we will keep up the pressure for a fair deal for the region.”

What do you think? Will today’s meeting help to garner a fairer deal for Northern transport? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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