High Speed line is Liverpool’s big election ask, say city business and academic leaders

50 Liverpool business leaders and the Vice Chancellors of the City Region’s four Universities are today calling on the leaders of the three main political parties to commit to ensuring the city gets a direct High Speed Rail link as a matter of urgency.

Currently neither the HS2 project nor the emerging Transport for the North vision for an East / West HS3 make any commitment to deliver a High Speed rail line into Liverpool.

The Open Letter has been co-ordinated by the independent, business-led 20 Miles More campaign and is signed by leading companies in the freight, professional service, life science, tourism, retail and creative industries sectors along with Universities and major business organisations including the North West Business Leadership Team, FSB, Professional Liverpool, Liverpool BID Company and Downtown Liverpool in Business.

20 Miles More Chairman Andrew Morris commented;

“These are the businesses and institutions that are forging our future economy. The range of signatures demonstrates the breadth of support for a direct High Speed link to the city and how vitally important this is to our future prosperity and success. Liverpool’s economy has always been based on connectivity and pioneering infrastructure. With the massive investment in the new Post-Panamax port facility we desperately need additional rail capacity and better connectivity in order to handle the projected massive growth in freight.”

20 Miles More believes it’s important that the business and economic case is heard and that the political parties are challenged during the election about their commitment to the city and this vital piece of economic investment. Whereas all the parties have been underlining their commitment to economic re-balancing and releasing the potential of Northern cities the issue has not yet surfaced in the General Election campaign

Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive from the North West Business Leadership Team, is one of many leading business voices backing the campaign. He commented:

“We are strongly committed to the idea of a Northern Powerhouse, but we believe it’s logical for this vision to start here. A high speed rail link from Liverpool to Manchester would not only connect us to HS2 but would be the first leg of a transformational HS3 East / West link as well. If we want the Northern Powerhouse to deliver quickly then we should start by connecting the cities with the strongest economic synergies and highest number of passenger journeys.”

The Open Letter comes ahead of the publication of a major report by the think-tank ResPublica setting out the strategic case for a Liverpool High Speed link. The report commissioned by The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson is likely to include a radical game-changing proposal to underscore Liverpool’s HS2 case. ResPublica Director, Phillip Blond explained:

“Our report provides a comprehensive review of the City Region economy and how it can best realise growth opportunities and potential. As a result we conclude that the case for a direct High Speed line into Liverpool is even more compelling and beneficial to the UK economy.”

The open letter and the High Speed appeal have also been welcomed by Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson. He commented:

“I welcome the Open Letter from 20 Miles More and the business community. It is a timely intervention aimed at ensuring the interests and aspirations of the city are heard during this critically important election campaign.”

To view the Open Letter click here