“The north needs immediate and very significant investment for action now and a plan for longer term transformation to reduce journey times, increase capacity and improve reliability.”
Those are the words of the National Infrastructure Commission, which published a report in March 2016, High Speed North, arguing forcefully that if the north truly is to become an economic powerhouse, it has to be better connected. The commission, headed by Lord Adonis, says better transport is part of a wider economic goal for the region.
Lord Adonis: HS3 could be the rail revolution of the 21st century
Andrew Adonis
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“Improving connectivity between the cities of the north will not be sufficient to create the northern powerhouse, but is necessary,” says the report. “Transformations in transport connectivity should form part of a broader strategy incorporating improvements in education, workforce training, research and innovation, spatial planning and wider infrastructure investment.”
But can even major transport projects, such as HS2, really provide the catalyst for faster economic growth for the 15 million people who live in northern city regions? To debate this, the Guardian, alongside transport engineering company Alstom, is holding an in-depth early evening seminar in Manchester. We will explore what is really involved in helping local government and other local public service bodies build growth, especially through education, housing and jobs.