LEP Chair comments on third High Speed Rail line

24.06.14

Responding to the announcement by Chancellor George Osborne that a third High Speed Rail line should be constructed to better connect Leeds and Manchester, Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership commented:

“Throughout the High Speed Rail debate, we have stressed the importance of connecting our Northern cities, so I am delighted the government has recognised the immense potential our region has to become an economic powerhouse of the North, that can compete for the UK globally alongside London and the South East”.

“Connectivity is the lynchpin of our Strategic Economic Plan, so if the government invests in the region now to create the 21st Century infrastructure our economy needs to unleash untapped growth, we can play a leading role in rebalancing the nation and enabling the Leeds City Region to create tens of thousands of jobs while also becoming a net contributor to the public purse.

“I would welcome a further conversation with the Chancellor to maximise this opportunity for the Leeds City Region – and indeed the country.“