Task force set up to lobby for North East rail line

Aug 12 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

A TASK force has been formed to put together a last-gasp bid to get a high-speed rail line through the North East.

If successful the group will secure Government backing for a rail link likely to contribute billions of pounds to the North East economy.

But a similar bid is also being prepared for a high-speed line up the West coast of the country, seen by some as a more likely route, which would deprive the North East of vital transport investment.

One of the West coast team’s selling points is believed to be the possibility of linking up Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester airports.

A high-speed rail line between these would mitigate the “damaging” effects of a Government airport policy which is increasingly looking to discourage short-haul domestic flights.

On Tyneside high-speed campaigners are hoping their submission for a North East line will convince the Government that the relatively remote nature of the region and its poor transport links mean it is vital the line comes through Newcastle. Should planners at High Speed 2, the company set up to decide the future of rail in the UK, favour an East coast route it will in no small part be down to a lengthy lobbying campaign by the Association of North East Councils.

Mick Henry, Gateshead Council leader and ANEC boss, helped set up the group to put together an economic case for a new line.

“We consider air services and high-speed rail links to be complementary rather than competitive. The association has consistently lobbied for the North East to be included in any future investment in a high speed rail network for the UK,” he said.