Latest news with #KimMcGuinness
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Metro line feasibility study under way
Designs for new Metro stations and bridges are set to be drawn up in a bid to win government support for a £900m expansion. The proposed new route to Washington in Sunderland would use part of the disused Leamside line running from Pelaw in Gateshead. Engineering consultants Arup have been appointed to carry out a feasibility study for the project and design work for infrastructure, which is being overseen by Labour's North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. It is hoped their designs will help local leaders when lobbying for the huge amount of public funding that would be needed to actually build the extension. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said full details of where Metro trains would stop in the area, the economic benefits of the eight mile (13km) rail extension and the true cost of the project are expected to be revealed during the development of the outline business case. The Washington Metro Loop represents the first section of a wider ambition to reopen the entire Leamside Line, which runs down through County Durham and could allow for the launch of new Tyne-Tees train services. It was estimated in 2022 that the scheme would cost £745m, but this has since been listed as costing £900m in the mayor's new regional transport plan, which sets a target of delivering the project by 2032. While the restoration has been a top priority for leaders for years, some critics have raised concerns it could be a "vanity project" which it may not be feasible to deliver. However, McGuinness has long stated her determination to deliver on the promise of bringing the Metro to Washington, describing it as a "major part" of her ambition to re-open the Leamside route through County Durham and Sunderland. "I am determined to transform our transport network to change the lives of local people for generations to come," she said. "This project will be the biggest expansion of the Metro for more than 20 years – and it will be just as transformative as the Sunderland line was when it first opened back in 2002." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Government 'working closely' to reopen rail line Which are the possible Leamside Line stations? 'Incredibly high' cost of new Metro line questioned Nexus North East Combined Authority
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
New Washington Metro line feasibility study under way
Designs for new Metro stations and bridges are set to be drawn up in a bid to win government support for a £900m proposed new route to Washington in Sunderland would use part of the disused Leamside line running from Pelaw in consultants Arup have been appointed to carry out a feasibility study for the project and design work for infrastructure, which is being overseen by Labour's North East Mayor Kim is hoped their designs will help local leaders when lobbying for the huge amount of public funding that would be needed to actually build the extension. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said full details of where Metro trains would stop in the area, the economic benefits of the eight mile (13km) rail extension and the true cost of the project are expected to be revealed during the development of the outline business case. The Washington Metro Loop represents the first section of a wider ambition to reopen the entire Leamside Line, which runs down through County Durham and could allow for the launch of new Tyne-Tees train was estimated in 2022 that the scheme would cost £745m, but this has since been listed as costing £900m in the mayor's new regional transport plan, which sets a target of delivering the project by the restoration has been a top priority for leaders for years, some critics have raised concerns it could be a "vanity project" which it may not be feasible to deliver. However, McGuinness has long stated her determination to deliver on the promise of bringing the Metro to Washington, describing it as a "major part" of her ambition to re-open the Leamside route through County Durham and Sunderland."I am determined to transform our transport network to change the lives of local people for generations to come," she said."This project will be the biggest expansion of the Metro for more than 20 years – and it will be just as transformative as the Sunderland line was when it first opened back in 2002." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Great North launched by northern mayors to boost jobs and prosperity
Northern mayors have launched a new partnership to boost jobs and prosperity. The Great North has been unveiled at an event in Leeds, bringing together mayors and regional leaders to unlock the economic potential of the north in key sectors such as clean energy, defence, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries. The new body is chaired by North East mayor Kim McGuinness and has been backed by the government, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner endorsing the organisation. It aims to lead international trade missions on pan-northern investment propositions and host a new Northern Investment Summit to champion the opportunities and potential of the north's 15 million people. Opportunities identified by the mayors include an energy coast proposition down the east coast to power the clean energy revolution, a northern security corridor reaching down from Cumbria and the North East through Lancashire, and advanced materials and manufacturing corridors bringing together Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. A new report by The Great North reveals that the north could add £118 billion to the UK economy with the right investments. The initiative aims to provide the finance, skills and connectivity needed for the creative industries in the North to grow, draw international investment and tourism, and contribute to employment and economic development. Cumbria does not currently have a mayor, but plans are underway for the county to have a mayoral election as early as next year following a public consultation. READ MORE: Whitehaven woman attends garden party at Buckingham Palace | News and Star Plans for a mayor in the county have been backed by deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner as part of the government's large scale devolution plan which could see major change to local government across the country. Candidates have yet to be announced for the Cumbrian mayoral race but it is expected that all major parties will put forward a candidate. Plans for a mayor will have to be ratified by both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council in the autumn.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The Great North: Northern mayors unveil investment partnership
Mayors in the north of England have unveiled a new partnership which they claim will drive investment opportunities across the Great North, chaired by North East mayor Kim McGuinness, will represent a combined population of more than 15 million people in the area spanning the Pennines, from Yorkshire and Lancashire, up to the Scottish bringing the region under one banner, they said they hope to attain investment in sectors including clean energy, defence, advanced manufacturing and the creative Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the leaders would set aside political differences to "bang the drum for the north" and attract "global investment". The partnership follows the Labour government's plans to devolve powers out of will utilise the Great North Run brand, founded by Sir Brendan Foster. A launch event will be held in Leeds, where the body will announce £118bn of investment opportunities, including:A clean energy proposition down the east coastThe Northern Arc and White Rose Plan, which are rail improvements on the Transpennine Route and the Liverpool to Manchester RailwayA northern security corridor from Cumbria and the North East to LancashireAdvanced materials and manufacturing corridors bringing together Yorkshire and Greater Manchester with links into neighbouring economies, or between the North East and Tees ValleyThe One Creative North partnership to boost the North of England's creative industries The six leaders joining McGuinness and Houchen are Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire, Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester, Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region, York and North Yorkshire mayor David Skaith, South Yorkshire's Oliver Coppard and Luke Campbell of Hull and East and Cheshire & Warrington are in a devolution priority programme which envisages mayoral election in following the establishment of a Combined Authority in Lancashire, discussions are underway on establishing a mayor there too. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
County Durham bus stops revamped in £1.8m scheme
A £1.8 million revamp of hundreds of bus stops across County Durham has been comes after a 2024 warning to transport bosses that public confidence in services was at "an all-time low".Work has begun on 168 new bus shelters and 50 raised kerbs, while 444 new bus stop flags and signs will be erected to improve visibility and East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "This investment is all about making bus stops safer, more accessible and more welcoming." She added: "We're installing new shelters, better signage and raised kerbs to make boarding easier for those with mobility needs – simple improvements that will help people feel more confident using buses."Last year saw timetable changes and some cost-cutting measures, yet passenger satisfaction in County Durham increased to 82% in 2024, up from 76% the year before. The total number of bus users also increased over the year after driver strikes sidelined services in late 2023. Ms McGuinness has pledged to bring the North East's bus network back under public control for the first time since the 1980s. Her franchising plans would mean that the North East Combined Authority (NECA) would be able to set fare prices, routes and there have been warnings that the move could take several years to complete. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
