Liverpool City Region launches major HS2 campaign

BUSINESSES and public sector leaders in Liverpool have launched a campaign to bring High Speed rail to the city region.

The High Speed Rail – Linking Liverpool campaign wants to persuade the Government to change current plans for HS2, which see High Speed Rail bypassing the city.

Public and private sector leaders are supporting the  campaign and argue that it will create 14,000 jobs and deliver an £8.3bn fillip to the city region’s economy.

Cllr Phil Davies, chair of the Liverpool Combined Authority said: “”Delivering full High Speed Rail connectivity into Liverpool city centre is vital not just for the city itself but for the whole city region and beyond.”

Click here to download TheBusinessDesk.com’s annual Liverpool City Region economic supplement, in association with Baker Tilly, Bruntwood and the North West Fund.

Robert Hough, chair of the private-sectr led Liverpool Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “There is much talk about developing a northern economic powerhouse. This cannot happen without Liverpool – a strong and growing economy with enormous potential for future growth – being fully connected.
 
“Therefore, it is essential that we invest in infrastructure, such as High Speed Rail to achieve a rebalancing of our economy that will ultimately help our businesses grow and create jobs for our residents.”

Teams of campaign staff will be out on the streets throughout the City Region over the next few weeks, encouraging members of the public and businesses to pledge support.

Andrew Morris, director of business organisation 20 Miles More, said: “There’s no doubt that bringing High Speed Rail into Liverpool will have enormous benefits for the city region, and we have been working with our partners to gather support and make the case.

“The High Speed Rail – Linking Liverpool campaign will build on this work and we will back any initiative which will strengthen the City Region’s prospects of benefiting from High Speed Rail and the connectivity it will bring.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, on behalf of the Connected Cities campaign group, said: “The delivery of high speed rail to the North West is vital for the future prosperity not just of Manchester but for the region and country as a whole.

“We are in agreement that transport connectivity across the North must improve. That’s why we’re working with Liverpool and other key cities to see the delivery of a modern, fit-for-purpose transport network which supports a strong and vibrant economy. HS2 is an essential component of this.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close