State of the Region: Is transport still the key issue?

TRANSPORT was the key issue for readers of TheBusinessDesk.com in last year’s State of the Region Survey, but is it still the case?

Our 2010-11 State of the region Survey in association with law firm DLA Piper, is seeking an insight into the critical issues that affect business life in the region.

In our inaugural survey last year, nearly 30% of readers highlighted transport and infrastructure as the most important area for attention, followed by the need to attracting more inward investment (25%) and addressing skills shortages and providing better training (18%).

[FORM: 38]

Since the election of the new government there have several announcements of investment in a key regional transport schemes including the second Mersey crossing, high speed rail, electrification of the Manchester-Liverpool rail lines and motorway upgrades, so it will be fascinating to see whether this issue is still top.

With BusinessLink North West being phased out in favour of a national call-centre-based model, perhaps business support will become more important, or will inward investment be key?

David Gray, office managing partner at DLA Piper in Manchester, said: “Transport and infrastructure were undoubtedly amongst the burning issues of last year’s survey. Much of that came down to frustration over the uncertainty which was hanging over some key North West projects which had been in the pipeline for some time.

“October’s spending review gave the region some welcome and overdue clarity. Support was confirmed for the second Mersey crossing and the electrification of the rail link between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool, assisting in reaffirming the region as a solid and viable area for investment and development.

“However, questions remain over the timescales involved in these and other similar projects so it will be interesting to see how the business community now feels.

“A reliable and efficient transport system remains a fundamental issue for the North West’s economic growth. Although public funding in the new economic climate is going to be harder to come by, the fact that the region has been able to establish some strong LEP propositions means there is no reason why the region should not get its fair share of the infrastructure funding on offer,” Mr Gray added.  

Your answers matter and we have made the survey quick and simple – it will take you no more than three minutes to complete.

Based on your responses we will be running a series of stories on results from our three regions, the North West, Yorkshire and West Midlands. We will also use the findings to lobby key decision-makers.

[FORM: 38]