Northern based commercial property owners are being urged to throw their weight behind the ‘yes to high speed rail’ campaign.
Plans were announced last year by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, for a new high-speed rail network across Britain, which will feature trains which are capable of reaching 250 mph. The government is recommending a route for a new line between London and Birmingham with a future extension to northern England and Scotland.
The government is currently in the consultation process of the development. The proposed first stage is set to run from London Euston to Birmingham, with plans for an extension to run to Leeds and Manchester.
Just last month over one hundred key business leaders signed a letter in support of the plans to bring high-speed rail to Manchester. The letter claimed the £32bn project will create real benefits and offer a vital boost to a company’s ability to recruit staff, move goods and make the most of business opportunities.
Susan Williams, campaign director at the North West Rail Investment Campaign, said: ‘This letter shows the strength of support for high-speed rail from the business community in the North West and a recognition of the real strategic economic benefits it would bring.’
One area which would be set to benefit greatly from the high speed rail network, is the commercial property industry in the regions. With high speed links available, organisations will be less likely to feel the pressure to re-locate to the capital and be much more comfortable with the idea of taking commercial property space outside London.
Chris Fletcher, from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘The development and construction of a new high-speed rail link to London is a crucial part of how to help deliver future economic growth in Greater Manchester and the North West.’ As we are all aware, economic growth is vital to the commercial property market.
