Institution responds to Government backing of Leeds-Manchester High Speed Rail link

The Institution's Dr Colin Brown welcomes the Government's backing of a new high speed link betweek Manchester and Leeds but says the Government needs to show even greater ambition.

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said responding to Government's backing of an east-west high speed rail link between cities in northern England:

“Creating a high speed link between Manchester and Leeds could help bridge the North South economic divide more quickly, so it is welcome that the Government has backed these proposals.

“But we need the Government to show even greater ambition. The time-scales for these projects and the long lead times to getting approval, mean we’ll be well into the next century before we have a properly integrated and efficient transport system.

“We need to develop a clear strategy for sustainable and resilient transport links across the country, which incorporates new airport, road and rail infrastructure. We need more than piecemeal projects if the UK is going to have a transport system fit for the 21st century.

“Having a clear plan provides confidence and allows for forward planning, which is critical for keeping costs down.   The skills need for such major projects cannot be created overnight.  The talent and expertise from people delivering projects like Crossrail are national assets which must not be lost forever through a lack of vision.”