Infrastructure investment across the north would create ‘game-changing’ economic benefits

Public sector leaders in Liverpool and Leeds City Region have spoken about the potential to unlock brownfield sites which will lead to the growth of the economy on both sides of the Pennines.

Speaking at MIPIM today, Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority , said that HS2 would double the size of Leeds City Centre. She added: “Lots of that development is on brownfield sites and there is already investment and interest from the private sector. What the treasury needs to think about is that it’s not just about land speed and journey time. It is about the wider economic investment infrastructure brings.”

She added that in Bradford, there had been a study which showed that Northern Powerhouse Rail would add £1.3m to the economy. “That is a massive game-changer,” she added.

Frank Rogers, Acting Chief Executive Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said he supported the need for a wider approach through Transport for the North’s connectivity. Rogers said: “If we can get connectivity on an east to east basis, that will unlock in £20m GVA in growth, 20,00 new jobs and 15,000 new homes in Liverpool alone.

“That moves moves us into a different arena. Liverpool 2 will go from 5% to 95%. To maximise this potential, we need that connectivity.

“That is digital connectivity – rail, road, connectivity to education, housing, growth. That’s what infrastructure is all about. It is about providing the facilities for investments to link and connect with each other.”

Hinchcliffe urged delegates not underestimate plans for the Transport for the North to drive investment forward across the whole of the north. She added that infrastructure and trust between public and private sectors was essential in ensuring a prosperous future and further investment across the north.

Hinchcliffe said: “It’s essential to have the trust and relationships between public and private sector to have those long-term relations. An example of that in Bradford is that we are building out 1200 houses and have a long term agreement with the private sector agreed on what the profits are going to be and 20 year plan to build out that site, but it’s a challenging site.  It’s about being clear, open and honest.”