Continued uncertainty surrounding Northern Powerhouse Rail, also referred to unofficially as High Speed 3, is hurting the regional economy, industry experts have warned.
The concern has heightened after prime minister Rishi Sunak appeared to reverse his predecessor’s promise to build the Northern Powerhouse Rail line in full, which would have connected Liverpool to Hull, with a major interchange at Bradford.
Jessica Bowles, strategy director at Bruntwood, said: “Linking cities to cities, and cities to surrounding towns, with fast, reliable, modern transport is a prerequisite for major productivity improvements.
“Only by investing long-term in our transport infrastructure can we fully maximise the North’s incredible economic potential.”
Stephen Hogg, head of North West and regional residential UK regions at JLL, noted that metro mayors had been working hard towards promoting investment and improving infrastructure in the northern cities.
He said: “We have always needed a genuine intent and financial commitment from the prime minister of the day to make infrastructure improvements a reality.
“The abandonment of Northern Powerhouse Rail, for the second time, will be viewed by businesses, residents and investors in the North as a sign that the government is giving up on its manifesto pledge to level up our regions. As was identified in the original plan, only through a step-change in connectivity can we reach the levels of productivity – and prosperity – that this part of the country is fully capable of.”
In contrast, some industry experts noted that, despite the benefits that Northern Powerhouse Rail would have brought in terms of enhanced connectivity across the North, the importance of improved connectivity between city regions has faded after the coronavirus pandemic.
Stephen Miles, partner in Cushman & Wakefield’s development and strategic advisory team, said: “There is an argument that given the reduced level of long-distance travel arising from increased usage of the internet, such as video calls, improved connectivity between city regions is perhaps not as important as it once was.
“Looking ahead, the priority might be connectivity within cities and city regions.”
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