Chamber welcomes government bus funding announcement

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Marianne O Sullivan, policy adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “The Government have announced today that the North East is set to receive £163.5 million of bus improvement funding. As a Chamber we were supportive of the bid, as buses play a key role in our region, connecting people to towns and city centres, education and job opportunities.

“The bid included plans for the introduction of an affordable fare for under 19s throughout the region, a single website for journey planning and tickets, bus lanes around city and town centres.  It also promises more real time journey information available to passengers.

This will be essential to enable us to grow bus usage in the North East and as part of the recovery of passenger numbers from Covid.”

Chamber Transport Forum

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In this virtual forum we have a presentation from the team behind Go-HI mobility as a service app being rolled out in Scotland followed by a discussion around how to share information with passengers in the North East.

The North East says: “We need the Leamside Line re-opened.”

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Cross-party MPs, local politicians and business leaders came together today (Friday 4 February) at multiple locations along the Leamside Line to make the case for its reopening.

Reopening the disused line is a key priority for the region because of the economic, social, and environmental benefits it would bring. The rail route – a 21 mile stretch from Gateshead, through South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham but closed since 1992 – runs through numerous areas where new jobs and housing could be stimulated by new stations, as well as taking hundreds of cars each day off some the region’s main commuter roads – improving city centre air quality and decarbonising transport.

The line’s reopening is strongly supported by the region’s political and business leaders.

Paul Howell MP for Sedgefield, Sharon Hodgson MP for Washington and Sunderland West, and Liz Twist MP for Blaydon met with Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport and Leader of Gateshead Council alongside other supporters from the North East Chamber of Commerce, North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Transport for the North, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Nexus and Transport North East, at three strategic points on the line – Follingsby, Washington and Ferryhill.

The visit enabled the group to get a closer look at what scheme delivery in the future would look like.

This follows a recent announcement that work is to begin on a business for extending the Tyne and Wear Metro, using the Leamside Line, to Washington. This move by the Joint Transport Committee was warmly welcomed by people in Sunderland and the wider region.

Future work will also include studies into passenger services through County Durham to a reopened Ferryhill station, and the use of the line for freight; all of the studies will shortly be combined into a single comprehensive plan which maximises the benefits to the North East. This work will feature in a report to the Joint Transport Committee later this year.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “The Leamside Line is one of our top priorities and its reopening would change the socio-economic future of the North East. We need the Leamside Line reopened and our political and business communities are absolutely united on this. I’m delighted see such strong support today from some of the line’s most vocal supporters.

“Places like Follingsby, Washington and Ferryhill are crying out for direct rail connectivity, and we must continue to call for investment in this critical piece of railway infrastructure. Leamside has the potential to be game-changing – let’s make it a reality for the people of the North East.”

Sharon Hodgson MP, an avid supporter of the Leamside Line, continues to make the case for reopening and presented an online petition to Government last year on the issue. Mrs Hodgson has successfully secured a debate in Parliament on the ‘Potential merits of reopening the Leamside Line’ which has been scheduled for Tuesday 8 February 2022 at 2.30pm in Westminster Hall.

Mrs Hodgson, said: “Washington is the fourth largest town in the UK without a direct rail link and it’s gone on for long enough. There is overwhelming support across business, political and local communities to get things moving and I want to see this happen. I look forward to putting forward our region’s strong strategic case in the Westminster Hall debate next week.”

Paul Howell MP, is a long-time supporter of the line and recently wrote to the new Rail Minister (with Sharon Hodgson MP) to outline reasons for its reopening.

Mr Howell, said: “The Leamside Line would be truly transformational for the North East and we continue to make the case to reopen the line, connecting communities such as Ferryhill to the Local and National rail network. Leamside will solve the capacity constraints we face on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and I will continue to push for it to be developed.”

Lesley Moody, OBE, President, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “Re-opening the Leamside Line would improve rail journeys for 1,000s of passengers each day and create more much-needed capacity to move both passengers and goods by rail across the North East. It’s essential to see investment in our rail connections as this infrastructure has such a key part to play if we are to be levelled up in any meaningful sense.”

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “We strongly support the ambition to reopen the Leamside Line. The reintroduction of passenger services along this line would not only open up vital transport links for communities in the surrounding areas and give increased access to employment and leisure opportunities, it is also part of a wider solution to speed up journey times on the East Coast Main Line, linking the North East to the rest of the UK rail network. It could also lead to a significant reduction in car trips on the surrounding highway network which would have positive environmental benefits.”

Henri Murison, Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Reopening the Leamside Line is not just critical for connectivity in the region, it’s vital for the whole Northern Powerhouse. It could provide much-needed freight capacity, while playing a key role in Northern Powerhouse Rail by opening up Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland to those travelling from Liverpool and Manchester for business or leisure.

“The huge potential benefits of the newly reopened Ferryhill Station – which we and Paul Howell MP have long campaigned – will be significantly undermined if it only connects people to Middlesbrough, when the potential is to open up Wearside and Tyneside as well.”

For more information, visit www.transportnortheast.gov.uk 

Chamber anger at piecemeal rail investment for North East

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John McCabe, chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “Today’s announcement gives us some recognition for our Fast Track East Coast and Northumberland rail campaign but it is still a huge missed opportunity for our region.  The benefits of this piecemeal investment will be hugely diluted by cancelling HS2 and detailed Northern Powerhouse Rail plans.  Speed is not the problem with our region’s rail network. We need more capacity and reliability of services more urgently.

“The Government’s integrated rail plan fails to deliver on the levelling up agenda and give much-need commitment to transformational projects for the North. Without the full delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, the eastern leg of HS2 and improved capacity on the East Coast Main Line our region’s potential will continue to be held back by out-dated rail infrastructure.

“This is especially disappointing after COP26 and the need to shift travel from road to rail to meet net zero targets. Media reports have said that there could now be more than 12,000 extra car journeys a day in the North of England due to the poor rail connections in the North causing congestion and harming air quality.

“Rail connections are key for the North East’s businesses helping to encourage more trade between northern cities, as well as giving people a wider choice of employment opportunities, encouraging people to stay and work in the region.

“The Government had previously committed to Northern Powerhouse Rail and set up bodies like Transport for the North to advise on rail connectivity. Failing to listen to them and Northern leaders on the need to invest demonstrates that there is a lag between rhetoric and action on levelling up.

“I am urgently requesting a meeting with the relevant ministers to raise our members’ concerns directly and begin discussions on how we might salvage something from any future transport policy. The Government’s entire levelling up credibility is at stake here.”

Chamber launches transport action plan for growth

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The North East’s largest independent business organisation has launched a report today (16 November 2021) calling for transport investment to support sustainable growth, amid concerns major rail projects could be cancelled.

In a detailed report, based on extensive consultation with businesses and transport operators, North East England Chamber of Commerce sets out the benefits of using mainline and public transport as a catalyst to transform the region’s infrastructure, boost recovery and build on strengths in energy and manufacturing.

Marianne O Sullivan, Chamber policy adviser said: “A transport revolution will only occur through coherent, sustained investment across local, regional and national infrastructure. We are therefore very concerned by the reports that the eastern leg of HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and upgrades on the East Coast Main Line may not happen.

“Increasing capacity in the Northern rail network will be crucial to addressing so many challenges that we face as a nation, including the levelling-up agenda, supporting businesses and in our efforts to decarbonise our economy. We need Government to be ambitious in its ‘build back better’ programme and commit to investing in truly transformational projects for the North.

“The Government’s own Decarbonisation of Transport Report highlights capacity on the rail network as key to supporting a significant shift from road to rail. Building rail capacity on the East Coast Main Line needs to be a key part of the integrated rail plan.

“Businesses have been facing huge changes due to the impact of the pandemic on how and where people work. There is now an opportunity to encourage more sustainable travel as businesses look at rail travel, public transport and active travel as part of their return-to-work strategies.”

Kevin Bell, Partner at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, a Chamber member, said: “It is important that we seize the opportunity to improve our transport offering. We need to be able to offer cleaner, smarter and more equitable solutions whilst ensuring that future infrastructure upgrades are delivered and additional transport funding is readily available to assist with the North East’s economic recovery.”

The report highlights the importance of accessibility to public transport in the North East as in 2018/19 8% of households in the region had no car or van, the highest level outside of London. It states the right transport links need to be in place to ensure that people without a private vehicle can easily travel and to ensure that a shift towards a green recovery with less private vehicles is attainable.

Marianne O Sullivan said: “Public transport needs to be seen as a vital part of our region’s recovery. We need to ensure that public transport is linked to our future plans for skills, towns and cities and housing.”

The Chamber’s view is also that digital innovation is essential to ensure that public transport can adapt to changing customer needs. During the pandemic transport operators had shared more information with customers around how busy services are to help with social distancing and to increase public confidence. Further innovation will be needed to encourage people to use public transport as restrictions are lifted.

In the report the Chamber states there is a definite need to see smart card ticketing operated across Metro, local bus and rail journeys within the North East. This will help people who travel across different modes of transport in the region and will reduce confusion around ticketing, giving more confidence to passengers.

Marianne O Sullivan said: “We need Government to give us the right investment to develop innovative ideas on our transport, coupled with everyone playing their part in using public transport more regularly. Little changes can make a huge difference to our region’s sustainability.”

Download the report here.

North East businesses back plans to speed-up Tyne Tunnels

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North East businesses have thrown their support behind plans to improve regional logistics by ditching barriers at a major river crossing, in favour of open-road-tolling.

From Monday (8 Nov), for the first time in its 54-year history, vehicles will drive straight through the Tyne Tunnels, without stopping – saving drivers 1,944 hours a week.

The Tyne Tunnels are the third river crossing in the UK to launch open-road-tolling, with two other similar cashless systems operating successfully at Dartford Tunnel and Mersey Gateway.

The region’s largest business membership organisation, the North East England Chamber of Commerce, says it fully supports the move to improve what it describes as “a vital part of the region’s infrastructure”.

Chief Executive of North East England Chamber of Commerce, John McCabe said: “Open-road-tolling will enhance the value of the Tunnels by allowing vehicles to move far more freely on either side of the river and slash the carbon emissions created by stationary traffic. We’re fully behind its introduction and look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to commuters and businesses alike.”

Parcel couriers, hauliers, supermarket suppliers, waste services, utilities companies, construction services and the NHS are among the top 100 regular users of the Tyne Tunnels.

The region’s largest owner of industrial estates and commercial development land, UK Land Estates, which owns the Tyne Tunnels Trading Estate, also backs the changes.

MD of UK Land Estates, Keith Taylor, explains: “Having good access to fast, efficient transport links is vital for the smooth running of any business.

“The A19 corridor is a vital artery in the region’s road network so anything that will speed up the thousands of journeys made along it every day has to be welcomed.

“I am sure that the 60-plus businesses and organisations on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate would agree that making journeys through the tunnel faster, easier and less polluting will be of great benefit, not just to their operations but also to the wider community and the environment.”

1.5 million journeys are made through the Tyne Tunnels each month.

Alan Ferguson OBE, Executive Chairman of Fergusons Transport, which is the largest privately owned haulier in the North East of England, said:

“We welcome the announcement by the Tyne Tunnels for open road tolling because it will encourage a more continuous flow of traffic which not only keeps businesses moving but also benefits the environment and cuts down on CO2 emissions.”

“Our regional Transport Plan objectives include growing our region’s economy and delivering a carbon neutral North East. Tyne Pass will help us to achieve our strategic goals, delivering better connectivity for businesses and individuals in the region and lowering carbon emissions from vehicles using the tunnels. This is a positive step forward for our regional economy,” said Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, Cllr Martin Gannon.

Open-road-tolling will benefit the environment by reducing yearly CO2 emissions by 50,000 tonnes and improving local air quality.

From Monday, the barriers and traffic lights will be gone, and the physical toll booths will gradually be removed over the coming months.

Instead of stopping to pay, drivers will either pre-pay or pay-before-midnight-the-next-day, after their journey, via the website, app, phone or by cash or card at a Paypoint outlet

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will automatically read vehicle registration plates. Customers just need to cite their reg number to pay.

TT2, which operates the tunnels on behalf of the North East Combined Authority, has created 80 new local jobs to support the new system, at its contact centre in Wallsend.

To find out more about Tyne Pass, visit www.tynepass.co.uk

Budget 2021 – what we know so far

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Ahead of the Budget on Wednesday we’ve seen some suggestions in the press on what to expect. 

We made some clear asks, summarised below. 

Based on this weekend’s speculation, we seem no clearer on a definition of levelling up, on the future of the Shared Prosperity Fund and how it will replace EU funding, or on how business support packages could be reintroduced through the winter if Covid cases continue to rise. 

However, there have been some clear proposals on a number of the other points we raised in a letter to the Chancellor last month. 

One of the main expected changes will be an increase to the national living wage from £8.91 to £9.50 from the 1st of April next year. The apprentice rate and the national minimum wages for younger workers under 23 are also expected to be see and increase on Wednesday. 

We’re also expected to see a focus on investment in skills with a £1.6 billion increase in 16-19 education funding, an expansion of T-levels, and a £170 million increase to the apprenticeship budget as well as a more funding for skills bootcamps and to expand the level 3 adult offer. 

In terms of transport there’s an expectation that on Wednesday there will be an announcement of funding for train, bus and cycle projects in particular we’re expecting funding to be allocated to the Tees Valley for the upgrades for Darlington and Middlesbrough stations and improved rail connections. 

But until we see the detail, we won’t know how much of the commitment for the Tees Valley has been announced previously. 

There’s also speculation that the Eastern Leg of HS2 – the section that would travel from Birmingham through Yorkshire and on the North East – could be scaled back. This would be disappointing with existing capacity on the East Coast Mainline is so limited, and when connectivity from our region to other parts of the North and the Midlands remains poor. 

We’re still waiting to see about other major transport announcements like Northern Powerhouse Rail. 

We’ve also seen some reports of £500 million in funding allocated to create ‘family hubs’ which will give support and advice, the £500 million will also include funding allocated to mental health support services. 

Elsewhere, £1.8bn is expected to be allocated for building 160,000 new homes on brownfield sites across the country, along with money for digitising the planning system. It’s uncertain at this stage how this money will be allocated across the country. 

There’s also funding expected to promote electric vehicle production in the North East and the midlands, and some funding for regional museums. 

We’ll wait to see the full details announced on Wednesday but the focus on skills is positive along with the funding for Darlington and Middlesbrough stations. 

The Chamber team will be analysing the Budget tomorrow lunchtime – and we’ll be particularly looking for progress on levelling up, decentralisation, export support, regeneration and Covid support. All of which were missing from this weekend’s leaks. 

In the meantime, the Chamber’s full Budget submission is available here: https://www.neechamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chamber-Budget-Letter-to-Chancellor-Sep-21.pdf 

Photo by Marcin Nowak on Unsplash

Chamber comments on Heathrow Supreme Court verdict

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James Ramsbotham, chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce said:

“The decision to create a third runway at Heathrow is fantastic news for the North East. On behalf of our members we have campaigned long and hard for this result, which will provide vital connectivity to the rest of country, Europe and the world.”

“This will form a key part of the Government’s Global Britain ambition opening up new international markets and allowing businesses to achieve their global trade aspirations. Our regional airports will be able to provide key connections for businesses to Heathrow.”

“Our businesses know Heathrow is an essential hub for so many routes and as the current airport is at capacity, the new runway is needed urgently to meet ever-growing demand. The construction work of a project of this scale is also likely to be a real massive economic benefit to our region and it needs to start as soon as possible.”

“Heathrow has already committed to net zero and the planning process will require Heathrow to prove the expansion is compliant with the UK’s climate change obligations, including the Paris Climate Agreement, before construction can begin.”

Chamber comments on National Infrastructure Commission’s ‘Rail Needs Assessment’

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Whilst it is positive to see the East Coast Mainline and regional stations highlighted in the National Infrastructure’s report the North East shouldn’t have to choose between investment in these or HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Improvements to Darlington and Middlesbrough stations have been highlighted by the Commission as quick wins to increase capacity and help to deliver more services along with the Northumberland Line scheme to provide connections between Newcastle and Ashington.

The East Coast Main Line was highlighted by the Commission as a key route, we need to see a major upgrade to the route north of York with a focus on improving capacity. The reinstatement of the disused Leamside Line coupled with upgrades for the existing East Coast Main Line, including between Northallerton and Norton will help to increase capacity and reliability on the route.

We need to see the Government commit to upgrading existing lines, improving regional links in the North and investing in long distance links to link the North and Midlands to the rest of the country.

We need HS2 Eastern leg in full and Northern Powerhouse Rail delivered along with investment in regional links to tackle decades of underinvestment in the North East’s rail links. HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are essential to increase capacity and create reliable rail connections across the North.

With the government now set to publish an Integrated Rail Plan in 2021 it is essential that Northern Powerhouse Rail, the HS2 Eastern Leg, and upgrading the East Coast Main Line in the North East are all included. In order to achieve its levelling up agenda and increase productivity the Government needs to invest to increase capacity and create reliable, sustainable connections for the North East.

View the National Infrastructure’s report here.

COVID-19 & Managing Safety in the Transport Sector

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Recorded on the 3rd June 2020

This webinar provides an overview of the key duties under health and safety legislation, and discusses a number of practical issues regarding how to manage workplace safety including the challenges presented by increasing numbers of passengers as the restrictions are eased over the coming months.

Presented by specialist health and safety lawyers at Womble Bond Dickinson, Stuart Wardlaw and Ashley Borthwick, in conjunction with the North East Chamber of Commerce.