Cumbria appears to have missed out on a new government investment scheme that will see journey times cut and capacity increased between towns and cities across the north of England.
The Government has earmarked £45 billion for the Northern Powerhouse Rail plan which will see a new rail route between Liverpool and Manchester via Manchester Airport and Warrington along with improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield.
Last July Cumbrian MPs met with a government minister to discuss upgrading rail in the county.
Today’s news has been widely welcomed by business leaders across the north.
“For far too long the North has been left to languish and missed out on the crucial investment in infrastructure needed to realise its economic potential,” Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said.
“If Northern Powerhouse Rail can be delivered in its entirety, on time and to budget, then it will have a transformational impact.”
Anna Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said: “Improved connectivity between key city regions is essential to unlocking productivity, attracting investment and creating opportunities for businesses and communities across the North.
“This commitment signals a turning point after years of stalled progress. We urge the Government to maintain momentum, ensure timely delivery and work closely with business leaders to maximise the economic benefits of this transformative project.”
Mark Goldstone, UK competitiveness manager with the CBI, said: “Getting on with Northern Powerhouse Rail is about far more than simply delivering a rail project.
“It’s a transformative opportunity to connect local economies, unlock regional growth and create vibrant hubs and thriving communities all the way along the proposed Northern Growth Corridor.”
The Government has set a funding cap of £45 billion for the programme and says ‘learning lessons from HS2, the government will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects going over budget.’
While the news has been widely welcome, a note of caution was sounded by Ms Haviland.
She said: “With no current end date for the project or set timelines on delivery, it is vital that government fills in the blanks as soon as practicable.
“Firms will want absolute certainty on the Government’s capability to deliver this project before they will fully invest in the future opportunities it could bring.”
