Economy top of the agenda as Gordon Brown visits Tyneside
May 27 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
He said: "The second most pressing issue is for transport infrastructure investment.
"We desperately need to accelerate the removal of the roundabouts either side of the Tyne Tunnel to allow traffic to move more freely both ways around the Tyne & Wear conurbation north and south. This is an absolute priority for the region."
The PM will see for himself the traffic problems in Tyneside as the region unites behind calls to tackle congestion on the A19 and the A1 Western Bypass.
Colin Stratton, federation of small businesses regional chairman, said the PM has it in his power to win back public support.
He said: "It’s good that he is here now, that he is in the region and seeing for himself that despite all the problems we do still have a strong economy here.
"And I don’t think any of the problems we are facing will be addressed just by changing Government, whoever is in charge will still have to solve these problems and there will still be this financial crisis. So he does still have a lot he can do to help us, he just has to move quicker."
The CBI also singled out access to bank loans as a big concern.
Liz Mayes, assistant regional director, said: "Our message from the North East would no doubt reinforce messages the Prime Minister is hearing from business around the country; that while times are tough, business can see opportunities on the horizon, but there are still barriers in place which will make them difficult to reach."
His visit comes the day after staff at Newcastle International Airport met with politicians from across the region urging them to back changes to the new air passenger duty due to be introduced this autumn.
Airport bosses have warned regional services will be hit with unfair and disapprobation taxes under the new tax charging structures, changes which could put some regional services at risk.
