Super-quango transport plan raises concern

Sep 5 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

THE North East could be forced to accept second-place status as planners consider steps to create a Manchester and Leeds super-region.

Transport bosses at the Northern Way, a super-quango representing the three Northern development agencies, are starting a year-long look at how the region can be better connected to the two cities.

They believe there could be huge trade benefits if road and rail routes to Leeds and Manchester were improved, giving the North as a whole a greater economy.

But the idea has been viewed with caution in Newcastle, were city leaders say they have their own transport concerns which must be answered at the same time.

They fear the report could be used by the Government to justify investing only in Manchester-to-Leeds links and would see an increasingly overlooked North East continue to lose out.

Newcastle Council leader John Shipley said it was important the Northern Way looked to the North East as well.

He said: “I welcome plans to connect Manchester and Leeds better. The North needs more investment and greater connectivity and this is just part of that agenda. It does not damage the North East.

“However, we also need urgently to improve connections for the North East, both with the rest of the region and with London.

“This could be done at the same time as the current study. There is nothing to stop this being done.”

Regeneration expert Nick Kemp, a city councillor, warned that the Northern Way could be asked to explain its use of public funds for a project which could downgrade the region.

He said: “We must be strong on the need to have a clear focus for Newcastle and the North East. Regenerating the economy of the North East is and must be our key priority, and we must be certain that nothing, particularly that which uses the public purse, is detrimental to that.”

Northern Way boss Andrew Lewis played down fears that the report would lead to resources being diverted from the North East. He said: “We know Leeds businesses have traditionally looked at Newcastle and the North East, and maybe there could be positive and negative implications.

“The stronger links will increase business opportunities, but there may be more pressure for businesses to leave Newcastle and move to either Manchester or Leeds.

“We do need to look at the full implications of this.

“But Newcastle has always had a pretty strong business service base, particularly in legal services, and is a fairly strong business area in itself.

“I know there was a period a few years ago when businesses withdrew to Leeds, but I don’t see that happening again.

“I don’t see greater links between Manchester and Leeds as being a threat to the North East.”