City leaders united in backing vision for Northern Powerhouse

The north’s major city leaders have agreed to work together to bring to reality the Government’s vision for a Northern Powerhouse.

The joint statement recognises that the vision can only be achieved through sustained long-term investment in people, places and infrastructure.

Businesses and city leaders are united in welcoming the Government’s commitment to invest in projects such as HS3, motorway improvements and a new trans-Pennine tunnel.

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed plans to take forward proposals from the Lord Adonis-led National Infrastructure Commission on northern connectivity, as reported here earlier this week.

He has given the green light to improving access between the major northern cities including:

developing HS3 between Manchester and Leeds, reducing journey times to around 30 minutes
Bringing forward the upgrade of the M62 to a four-lane smart motorway

Improving connections from east to west, including a new trans-Pennine tunnel under the Peak District between Manchester and Sheffield

Leaders from Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle have signed a joint commitment to work collaboratively. It is hoped, as the Northern Powerhouse, they can develop plans to re-balance the geography of the UK economy.

The leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, leader of Leeds City Council, Judith Blake, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, Newcastle City Council’s leader, Nick Forbes and Sheffield City Council leader Julie Dore have pledged to work with the government, aiding the prospect for the North to meet its true economic potential.

While devolution and improved transport links between the great northern cities are key parts of the Northern Powerhouse, the signatories of the statement also commit to working together to ensure the skills, housing and enterprise development base to support growth.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Closer links will enable the great northern cities to compete not against each other but together at scale on a national and international stage.

“We need to redress a legacy of underinvestment in the north and capitalise on our existing strengths.

“Through sustained focus on this agenda we can unlock more jobs and increased prosperity. That is the prize. It won’t happen overnight but we are all determined to deliver it.”

Some are also looking for further investment in sectors such as science, energy and technology.