On the right track

The Chamber responce to government proposals to devolve responsibility for decision making about the future running of rail services in the North of England

The Chamber has responded to a recent consultation on government proposals to devolve responsibility for decision making about the future running of rail services in the North of England.

The response, written in conjunction with chambers across the region, offers support to the Government's ambition for local areas to have a greater influence over rail services.

The Chamber's Director of Policy, Chris Fletcher, said: “This is an important part of how new rail franchises will be decided in the future and how those services will be run. The Government’s drive to devolve powers away from Whitehall continues. Amongst members, rail services are seen as a crucial part of the local economy so any move to put greater powers in the hands of local decision makers has to be welcomed.

"The Chamber has always said that getting the funding to upgrade the infrastructure and buy new rolling stock through the Northern Hub project was half the answer – you also have to have adequate and effective services that deliver the benefits to commuters and businesses alike. These proposals will allow this to happen.

“There has also been a lot of noise recently about HS2 and the impact this will have on regional and local rail services and investment. Many opponents to HS2 say that this will stifle local rail services. What we can see here through these proposals is that work continues on enhancing and revolutionising local and regional rail services and this will continue when work starts properly on HS2. It is not and never has been about either/or - it is part of a larger strategy to drag the UK to where it has to be if we are to continue to be competitive.”