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Issue:- 7 November 2014

What effect will the 'Northern Futures Summit' in Leeds have on Merseyside?

THE DPM, on Thursday, 6 November 2014, launched a major project called:- 'Northern Futures' that is asking people in the North what our Northern Cities needed in order to compete globally, and to grow, at a summit, with Centre for Cities in Leeds.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:- "One of the key things that comes up time and again is the need for better transport links; electrification for the rail networks connecting Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester, renovation of the dilapidated commuter lines. That is why I am pushing for a huge programme of transport improvements in the North to begin immediately. The suggestions and ideas we have had will be debated at the Northern Futures Summit in Leeds today, and I will turn as much as I can into swift action. London and South East has had billions of transport investment over recent years from HS1 to Crossrail to the Northern Line extension. The perfectly reasonable requests I have been hearing from the North are basics that are needed if we are to create a true economic hub in the North of England. The North needs improved transport now. The roads and railway lines connecting our great Northern Cities have seen improvements in recent years, but I want more. Much more. As we negotiate over what gets government funding in the Autumn Statement, one of my key priorities will be to change that. We need to get this started as soon as possible. I want a fully upgraded and electrified network between Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield by 2025. We also need to improve commuter services on lines that are not electrified. I want significant improvement; government money to buy better rolling stock to improve commuter routes in the North; also by 2025. Ancient rolling stock and lines that have not been upgraded in 30 years are not fit for a 21st century metropolis. Decrepit trains such as the Pacers, which are literally ancient buses on rails, are not a fair way for people in the North to get to and from work. They would not be deemed acceptable on London commuter lines, and they are not acceptable in the North. This is not just about rail. 64% of journeys in the North are by car. We need to build on the announcements already made to improve road links such as the M62. I want to go further, starting by extending the full stretch of the M62 between Manchester and Leeds to 8 lanes using the "smart" motorway model (that is, turning the hard shoulder into a 4th lane in each direction), and having a programme of improvements for the Woodhead Pass (A618/A626) between Manchester and Sheffield. I will push to see these in the upcoming Roads Investment Strategy for completion by 2025."

But many in Liverpool and other parts of the North West as questioning why the focus has again been on Manchester, with the likes of Liverpool being missed out of the HS2 and HS3 links.

With over 25 million people using the cross Pennine rail routes every year, today over a 3rd of passengers have to stand during their commute, it was announced at the summet, so by 2025 the DPM wants to see electrified cross Pennine links between Liverpool and Manchester on one side and Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull on the other. This, they say, will shorten journey times to 40 minutes at most between any 2 of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield and end the misery of overcrowding when people journey to work. But again Liverpool and Chester have been left out!

The DPM have told the media that the:- "Top Facts on road and rail in the North" are as follows:-

► Ancient rolling stock and lines that have not been upgraded in 30 years.

► Over 25 million people use cross-Pennine routes every year, and over a 3rd of passengers have to stand during their commute.

► Electrification of key routes will shorten journey times to, at most, 40 minutes between any 2 of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.

► 64% of journeys in the North are by car.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg also said:- "It's absurd that our great North is missing out on visitors when it boasts such stunning countryside, history and culture. Through the Northern Futures project, I asked people what our Northern cities needed in order to compete globally, and to grow. Your resounding call is clear; a strong Northern future relies on putting the North back on the map: a top tourist destination. From next year, up to £10m could be put in place for there to be a clear strategy for tourism in the North, bringing harmony to the current offer from 29 individual tourism boards into one great offer."

Yet, the RMT slammed Nick Clegg in a press release, for what they say is hypocrisy, as he outlined his rail plans in Leeds. Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said that:- "It is clearly hypocritical for Nick Clegg to talk big about improving rail services in Yorkshire; while he is the deputy leader of a Government whose current franchise proposals on Northern and TPE would decimate jobs and services. This is pure political posturing and his electorate in Sheffield will not be fooled. If Nick Clegg was serious about improving rail in the North he would come out in support of RMT's fight to defend and expand jobs and services in the here and now."

So what are your views about this topic? Please email us to:- news24@southportreporter.com and let us know what you think about it today!

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