Centres fail to make link with prosperity

19 March 2008

Poor transport links are preventing towns in the north of England benefiting from – and assisting – the economic power of its major cities in the way towns in the Southeast are enriched by links with London.

A Centre for Cities report concludes the benefits of economic hubs such as Leeds or Greater Manchester are not spreading into wider regions in the way Greater London’s are. City links, produced in partnership with Salford University and supported by the Northern Way, says most towns and cities in the Southeast are highly networked and connected with London, while few of those in the North enjoy such links.

‘We need to network the North,’ said centre director, Dermot Finch. ‘Large northern cities including Leeds and Greater Manchester are on the up, but poor commuting transport networks and weak trade links are stopping this new-found wealth from spilling over into neighbouring towns and cities.’

The report says 10.1% of Reading residents commute to London, but only 2.6% of Burnley’s travel to Manchester, half as far away. Blackpool, a similar 60km ride from the big city as Reading only sees 1% of its employees commuting to Manchester. But the report admits there are some towns in the Southeast with problem links. It recommends investment in new transport links to isolated regional towns, and taking advantage of regional single strategies, multi-area agreements and local area assessments to identify opportunities.

A DCLG spokes person said the Government was working to achieve more prosperous eco-nomies across the country and the report supported measures to join up regional plans for jobs, homes, transport, skills and investment. Multi-area agreements in 13 areas would enable cities and city regions to collaborate more effectively.

Pteg assistant director, Jonathan Bray, said much could be achieved without major investment through small improvements to rail or bus services. ‘It’s not a case of Crossrail, Terminal 5 or a new motorway,’ he said. ‘There are quick wins as we’re starting from a low base.’ The Conservatives plan to launch a policy commission to review the North’s transport needs, regional spokesman William Hague has announced. Speaking at the party’s spring forum, he accused the Government of favouring London in investment and promised to consider an A1 upgrade and improved rail links.

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