27.02.18
Northern mayors to launch ‘NPR convention’ to combat HS2 cost-cutting fears
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool city mayor Steve Rotherham have jointly called for the development of a Convention of the North, which would deal with issues surrounding the future of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The call is driven by fears that the government could limit some options for NPR later in the year when there are meetings on cost-cutting on HS2.
Both mayors have put forward the convention as a way of aligning northern leaders and promoting a unified viewpoint on the future of both HS2 and NPR.
It is proposed that the first Convention of the North will be in late June, alongside the Great Exhibition of the North in Newcastle and Gateshead, which is a season-long celebration of northern culture and identity.
“If we sit back and leave it to old Westminster way of doing things, there is a real risk that north will end up with second-class transport plans and a London-centric Brexit,” Burnham explained.
“Through devolution, we have a real chance of rebalancing this country from south to north. The Convention of the North could give the north a louder voice than it has ever had before and help to get us the right decisions on rail investment, Brexit and further devolution.”
Burnham is set to officially inaugurate the Convention of the North on Tuesday when the NPR campaign is set to be launched in London.
Liverpool mayor Rotheram is also backing the plans and said it was “absolutely vital” that the northern leaders were given autonomy to complete future NPR ambitions.
“It’s about coming together to set and deliver our own priorities and the projects that will have the biggest and most sustainable impacts,” he explained.
“A new west to east rail line starting at a brand-new city centre station in Liverpool and connecting the other great cities of the north via Manchester is the key to unlocking prosperity for communities in every part of the north.”
The news follows last week’s appointment of Tim Wood as Transport for the North’s new NPR director.
Previously Wood has led development and infrastructure projects internationally as director in both the public and private sectors across infrastructure and construction markets, including in major Network Rail supplier Amey.
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