Full funding announced for Northern Hub Campaign

Government has recognised the importance of the Northern Hub

Commenting on the approval of the funding for the Northern Hub project, Emma Antrobus, Transport Policy Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to see that the Government has recognised the importance of the Northern Hub and has funded it in full for the next Control Period (2014-19). The Northern Hub will offer so much in the way of improved connectivity across the North of England and will provide much-needed support to the economy.

“Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has been campaigning for the completion of the Hub for almost a decade. Through the secondment of a member of staff to the North West Rail Campaign, we have worked to engage public and private sector organisations across the region and the North, along with the region’s Chambers of Commerce, to ensure a consensus of opinion. This gave rise to a consistent message being delivered throughout this successful lobbying campaign. We liaised directly with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor and sent the Ministers around 500 postcards of support for the Hub signed by businesses from across the North West.

“Alongside the current electrification projects, we are seeing considerable investment into the region’s railways which will transform the role that railways undertake, allowing for faster and more direct journeys. The boost of over £4 billion to the economy will help businesses through a doubling of rail freight and up to 700 extra train journeys each day. We now need the Government to allow this project to proceed at speed.”