Chambers unite to support Northern Hub
Liverpool Chamber is working with Greater Manchester and other Northwest Chambers of Commerce to host a conference titled 'Rail in the North'. The event will focus on the importance of East-West rail links across the north of England - and in particular, highlight the significance of the Northern Hub (formerly known as the Manchester Hub) to the economies of northern city-regions.
The Northern Hub is an integrated set of rail network improvements from Liverpool to Manchester and beyond. These infrastructure works will pave the way for vastly reduced journey times between these cities while improving service frequency and reliability.
- Faster journey times between Liverpool and Manchester to only 30 mins.
- More hourly train services between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
- Between 20,000 - 30,000 new jobs.
- Over £4.2billion of wider economic benefits to the north of England.
Delegates will hear from freight and passenger operators, major developers and northwest MPs on why the scheme is essential for the future prosperity of the region - and what challenges face its ultimate delivery.
Speakers include Maria Eagle MP (Shadow Secretary for Transport), Louise Ellman MP (Chair of Transport Select Committee), Esther McVey MP (Member for Wirral West Constituency), Peter Nears (Peel Developments), Duncan Law (Senior Sponsor for the Northern Hub, Network Rail), Lindsay Durham (Head of Rail Strategy, Freightliner Group Ltd.) and Rob Warnes (Planning and Performance Director, Northern Rail).
The event will be held at the Liner Hotel, Liverpool on Wed 15th February 2012 from 9:30 - 12:00pm. Attendance is free.
Maresa Molloy, Head of Policy at Liverpool Chamber, said: "It is particularly important for partners to demonstrate support for this programme in view of the government's decision process leading to final approval. A 'Statement of Funds Available' for this (and other rail programmes) will be published during the summer this year in preparation for a final announcement in 2013."
Emma Antrobus, Transport Policy Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are delighted to be working with Liverpool Chamber on this prestigious event, demonstrating support from businesses across the region for delivery of the Northern Hub. The Hub project is of such significance for the improvement of rail for passengers and freight, returning £4 to the North's economy for every £1 invested. We hope the message that the Hub must be delivered in full is being heard, loud and clear, by Ministers and the Department for Transport."
