Better cross-Pennines links are "essential" says national infrastructure leader

BETTER links across the Pennines are essential if the Northern Powerhouse region is to thrive.

This is according to chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Lord Adonis, who was guest speaker at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner last night.

Lord Adonis told more than 600 of the region’s business glitterati at Trafford’s Victora Warehouse: “If the North is to become a powerhouse, it has to be better connected.

“Leeds and Manchester are just 40 miles apart but there is no quick and easy way to travel between the two.

“We should kick-start HS3 across the Pennines and slash journey times to just 30 minutes, but we must not wait decades for change – journey times should be cut to 40 minutes by 2022.

“A transformed northern rail network should include high speed connections to HS2 and the dramatic redevelopment to deliver jobs and investment across the centre of the city.

“By road, major improvements should be brought forward to transform the M62 between Liverpool and Leeds, cutting journey times by up to 20% and increasing capacity by a third, alongside the development of a major strategy to enhance the entire motorway network including access to Britain’s third busiest airport – Manchester Airport.”

The host for the evening was actor, comedian and DJ Craig Charles, best known for his roles in Red Dwarf and Coronation Street.

Clive Memmott, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber delivered a positive speech charting the 222-year old history of the Chamber before looking ahead to the future, noting the importance of the upcoming EU referendum, GM Mayor election and the Northern Powerhouse debate.

He said: “By better connecting our key cities and towns we can transform economic growth; so well connected that we create a single, enlarged, flexible and dynamic labour market.

“If there’s no infrastructure, no connectivity, there will be no Powerhouse. We must not let this brand become a panacea for every problem, gripe and inequality in the North. This could put the core objective at risk and we must not let this happen.”

After a musical performance from the Chamber choir, president of the Greater Manchester Chamber Wayne Jones spoke to guests on the strong policy and campaign work the Chamber has been focusing on, particularly around the themes of Engineering and Manufacturing, International Trade and the young workforce of the future.

He said: “We don’t need every young person to go to University, in fact not every young person is suited to go to University; we need a balanced approach. Our future demands a balanced workforce. We need graduates but we also need apprentices. Let’s work together to break the myth that apprenticeships are somehow a second choice.”