Institution responds to Chancellor's proposals for Manchester-Leeds high speed train link

The Institution's Dr Colin Brown says that while proposals are a positive step, we need more than piecemeal ambitions.

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to George Osborne’s speech on a high speed train link between Manchester and Leeds:

“A properly integrated and efficient transport system is critical to creating a balanced economy and creating a high speed link between Manchester and Leeds could help bridge the North South economic divide more quickly.

“The importance of a 21st century link between these important cities is clear, and moves us a step towards what we really need. But while it is a positive step, we need more than piecemeal ambitions. The UK needs a clear strategy for further sustainable and resilient transport links across the country, which includes high speed rail.

“Confidence and forward planning are key to keeping costs down and we need to ensure we are able to access the talent and expertise from people developing projects like Crossrail to move the UK’s transport infrastructure into the 21st century.”