Rail campaigner encourages businesses to show support

Susan Williams, Campaign Director for the North West Rail Investment Campaign, addressed attendees at this month’s Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Property and Construction Lunch.

The event took place at The Midland Hotel in Manchester and was attended by approximately 150 representatives of the construction sector.

Ms Williams addressed the group on the topic of ‘Why the North West needs high speed rail - the importance of rail for investment and growth’ and appealed to businesses to back the campaign and show their support.

She highlighted the significance of businesses signing up to the High Speed Rail (HSR) campaign and asked them to think ‘long-term’.

If approved, work on the line to Birmingham will be complete by 2026, before the construction of the ‘Y’-shaped branch, which will be completed in 2032. However, the HSR consultation period ends on Friday 29 July this year, which is why businesses need to sign up and show their support now.

Richard Critchley, Transport Policy Manager for Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Susan put forward a very strong case for the HSR campaign, highlighting its importance for Greater Manchester, the North West and the whole of northern Britain, so much so that 43 businesses signed up to the campaign at our lunch event.

“The project will be a major investment for the construction sector if it comes to fruition, and will be responsible for creating and safeguarding many jobs within the industry. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and a number of other Chambers across the UK are backing HSR, but it’s still essential for businesses to sign up too.”