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Transport Secretary joins Chambers of Commerce to show support for High Speed Rail Network

With only five days remaining until the end of the government’s consultation on the construction of a high speed rail network, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is today convening a national business summit in Manchester in support of this crucial project. Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, will deliver a keynote speech highlighting the importance of the project for the UK as a whole. Mr Hammond will be joined by David Frost, Director General of the BCC; Professor David Begg, Non-Executive Director at BAA and Chair of the Business Infrastructure Commission; and Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council on the event panel.

The BCC believes that a fully functioning high speed rail network will provide the extra capacity this country desperately needs, and will help boost connectivity across the UK and with the continent. Rail capacity and connectivity are essential for business productivity and long-term economic growth. Furthermore, the line could potentially generate benefits of £44bn to the UK economy, according to government research.

Commenting, David Frost, said:

“Continued investment in Britain's transport infrastructure will underpin economic growth, support business in driving recovery and create jobs. This is why the BCC is supporting the construction of a high speed rail network as without it, we will be unable to compete on a global scale.

“The reality of the situation is this: by 2024, our railways will be completely full. Patching up our existing network is not enough. We need a radical investment in our railways if we are to see a long-term solution to this serious problem. With global competition increasing and the population continuing to grow, we cannot afford to put this investment off any longer.”

Rt Hon Philip Hammond added:

"This latest endorsement of our proposals for high speed rail joins a growing list of key business leaders who recognise how vital this project is to the future of our economy.  Whether it's the additional capacity our rail network so desperately needs, the creation of jobs, the re-balancing of our economy or the increased connectivity between our major cities, high speed rail is not something this country can afford to ignore.

"We will shortly conclude one of the most extensive consultation exercises ever undertaken by Government, and I would urge anyone who - like me - cares about the future prosperity of our country to make themselves heard by responding to the consultation.”