logo
Resurrect HS2 northern leg to boost rail freight capacity, say UK manufacturers

Resurrect HS2 northern leg to boost rail freight capacity, say UK manufacturers

The Guardian4 days ago
Manufacturers will press ministers today to resurrect plans for a high-speed rail line reaching Leeds and Manchester as part of a large strategic investment to get lorries off Britain's roads and cut emissions.
Business lobby group Make UK and Barclays Corporate Bank said research showed companies believe the move would significantly increase passenger numbers and free up capacity for rail freight on existing lines.
A survey of 200 manufacturers showed that nine in 10 believe the original high-speed rail line HS2 should still go ahead, while a similar number said there should be greater investment in faster connections between Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Hull and Newcastle.
HS2 has suffered huge cost overruns and is being overhauled under new management. The transport minister, Heidi Alexander, said this year that problems with the line would delay its opening beyond 2033.
Many of Labour's regional mayors support moves to extend the line to Manchester to boost economic growth across the north of England.
However, Keir Starmer, the prime minister, has indicated there is little cash available to extend HS2, even under 'HS2-lite' plans that would have allowed for more capacity north of Birmingham.
Verity Davidge, the director of policy at Make UK, said: 'It's clear that the current levels of rail capacity aren't suitable for the levels of freight traffic the government is predicting in the future.
'As a result, if industry is to make greater use of rail then we need the extra capacity which a high-speed link for passenger traffic would free up.
'This would provide a valuable opportunity to invest in multi-mode hubs which would improve connectivity between our major ports and better integrate road and rail routes through the spine of the country.'
Sign up to Business Today
Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning
after newsletter promotion
The survey found that road is overwhelmingly the main mode of transport for nine in 10 manufacturers, with six in 10 regarding road investment as critical for their just-in-time operations. This compares with just under half (46%) for investment in ports and just under four in 10 for rail.
Lee Collinson, the head of manufacturing, transport and logistics at Barclays UK Corporate Bank, said: 'Upgrading and integrating our road, rail and port systems is crucial for boosting productivity, decarbonising transport and supporting long-term competitiveness.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia
Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

Powys County Times

time21 minutes ago

  • Powys County Times

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

The UK will sign a new 50-year bilateral Aukus treaty with Australia as the Foreign and Defence Secretaries visit the country on Friday. David Lammy and John Healey will meet their counterparts at the annual Australia-UK ministerial meeting, or Aukmin, in Sydney, and then travel on to Melbourne to meet businesses involved in the Aukus submarine programme. They will also visit Darwin as the Carrier Strike Group docks in the Northern Territory. The Aukus partnership between the UK, US and Australia involves building nuclear-powered attack submarines – including Australia acquiring its first such fleet – and co-operating in other areas of defence. It was agreed by the three countries in 2021, but the Trump administration has put it under review, raising fears it could pull out. The deal now being signed by the UK and Australia sets out the bilateral aspects of the partnership and how the two countries will work together to deliver their Aukus submarine programmes over the next half century. Defence Secretary Mr Healey said: 'Aukus is one of Britain's most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home. 'This historic treaty confirms our Aukus commitment for the next half century.' He said people 'not yet born' will benefit from jobs secured through the deal. More than 21,000 people in the UK are expected to be working on the programme at its peak. Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy said the UK-Australia relationship is 'like no other'. He added: 'In our increasingly volatile and dangerous world, our anchoring friendship has real impact in the protection of global peace and prosperity. 'Our new bilateral Aukus treaty is an embodiment of that – safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific whilst catalysing growth for both our countries.' The UK's Carrier Strike Group – an international formation of Royal Navy warships, submarines and aircraft – has been taking part in the Talisman Sabre military exercise hosted in Australia. The Australia and US-led military exercise involves more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'Aukus was a landmark achievement of the last Conservative government and it's essential that Labour keeps up the momentum, including on industrial collaboration. 'We welcome further progress but this must deliver in practice, both in terms of jobs and strengthened mutual security, at a time of heightened threats.'

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia
Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

North Wales Chronicle

time21 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

David Lammy and John Healey will meet their counterparts at the annual Australia-UK ministerial meeting, or Aukmin, in Sydney, and then travel on to Melbourne to meet businesses involved in the Aukus submarine programme. They will also visit Darwin as the Carrier Strike Group docks in the Northern Territory. The Aukus partnership between the UK, US and Australia involves building nuclear-powered attack submarines – including Australia acquiring its first such fleet – and co-operating in other areas of defence. It was agreed by the three countries in 2021, but the Trump administration has put it under review, raising fears it could pull out. The deal now being signed by the UK and Australia sets out the bilateral aspects of the partnership and how the two countries will work together to deliver their Aukus submarine programmes over the next half century. Defence Secretary Mr Healey said: 'Aukus is one of Britain's most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home. 'This historic treaty confirms our Aukus commitment for the next half century.' He said people 'not yet born' will benefit from jobs secured through the deal. More than 21,000 people in the UK are expected to be working on the programme at its peak. Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy said the UK-Australia relationship is 'like no other'. He added: 'In our increasingly volatile and dangerous world, our anchoring friendship has real impact in the protection of global peace and prosperity. 'Our new bilateral Aukus treaty is an embodiment of that – safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific whilst catalysing growth for both our countries.' The UK's Carrier Strike Group – an international formation of Royal Navy warships, submarines and aircraft – has been taking part in the Talisman Sabre military exercise hosted in Australia. The Australia and US-led military exercise involves more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'Aukus was a landmark achievement of the last Conservative government and it's essential that Labour keeps up the momentum, including on industrial collaboration. 'We welcome further progress but this must deliver in practice, both in terms of jobs and strengthened mutual security, at a time of heightened threats.'

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia
Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

South Wales Guardian

time21 minutes ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Lammy and Healey to sign bilateral Aukus deal during trip to Australia

David Lammy and John Healey will meet their counterparts at the annual Australia-UK ministerial meeting, or Aukmin, in Sydney, and then travel on to Melbourne to meet businesses involved in the Aukus submarine programme. They will also visit Darwin as the Carrier Strike Group docks in the Northern Territory. The Aukus partnership between the UK, US and Australia involves building nuclear-powered attack submarines – including Australia acquiring its first such fleet – and co-operating in other areas of defence. It was agreed by the three countries in 2021, but the Trump administration has put it under review, raising fears it could pull out. The deal now being signed by the UK and Australia sets out the bilateral aspects of the partnership and how the two countries will work together to deliver their Aukus submarine programmes over the next half century. Defence Secretary Mr Healey said: 'Aukus is one of Britain's most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home. 'This historic treaty confirms our Aukus commitment for the next half century.' He said people 'not yet born' will benefit from jobs secured through the deal. More than 21,000 people in the UK are expected to be working on the programme at its peak. Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy said the UK-Australia relationship is 'like no other'. He added: 'In our increasingly volatile and dangerous world, our anchoring friendship has real impact in the protection of global peace and prosperity. 'Our new bilateral Aukus treaty is an embodiment of that – safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific whilst catalysing growth for both our countries.' The UK's Carrier Strike Group – an international formation of Royal Navy warships, submarines and aircraft – has been taking part in the Talisman Sabre military exercise hosted in Australia. The Australia and US-led military exercise involves more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'Aukus was a landmark achievement of the last Conservative government and it's essential that Labour keeps up the momentum, including on industrial collaboration. 'We welcome further progress but this must deliver in practice, both in terms of jobs and strengthened mutual security, at a time of heightened threats.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store