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| NPP: Businesses want 'Northern Crossrail' investment | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| More than 5,000 businesses are calling on the government to invest in a high-speed railway link across the north of England. | More than 5,000 businesses are calling on the government to invest in a high-speed railway link across the north of England. |
| The proposed £39bn project, dubbed the "Crossrail of the North", would see journey times halved between major northern cities. | The proposed £39bn project, dubbed the "Crossrail of the North", would see journey times halved between major northern cities. |
| A survey by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) found companies believed the upgraded network would boost productivity and investment. | A survey by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) found companies believed the upgraded network would boost productivity and investment. |
| The government is considering the plan. | The government is considering the plan. |
| The report's findings have been backed by former chancellor George Osborne, who is the chair of the NPP. | The report's findings have been backed by former chancellor George Osborne, who is the chair of the NPP. |
| He said improving rail links and connecting to the proposed HS2 rail network from London to the north had the "potential to revolutionise the Northern economy". | He said improving rail links and connecting to the proposed HS2 rail network from London to the north had the "potential to revolutionise the Northern economy". |
| "The message coming loud and clear is that HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) are critical for businesses to remain, grow and invest in the North," he said. | "The message coming loud and clear is that HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) are critical for businesses to remain, grow and invest in the North," he said. |
| "Government must hear that message and provide the funding the Northern Powerhouse so badly needs." | "Government must hear that message and provide the funding the Northern Powerhouse so badly needs." |
| Businesses surveyed ranged from small enterprises to large multinational corporations, including Siemens and Manchester Airports Group. | Businesses surveyed ranged from small enterprises to large multinational corporations, including Siemens and Manchester Airports Group. |
| More than 70% of the companies said they would "commit to new investment if NPR was confirmed" and 85% believed that NPR would increase investment across the north. | More than 70% of the companies said they would "commit to new investment if NPR was confirmed" and 85% believed that NPR would increase investment across the north. |
| NPP director Henri Murison said: ""Linking up the cities of the North with fast, frequent rail connections can deliver a major boost to productivity, creating a Northern Powerhouse as prosperous and successful as the South and opportunities for young people to access skilled jobs." | NPP director Henri Murison said: ""Linking up the cities of the North with fast, frequent rail connections can deliver a major boost to productivity, creating a Northern Powerhouse as prosperous and successful as the South and opportunities for young people to access skilled jobs." |
| The report cites Manchester Airport as an example of how businesses could benefit from improved rail links. | The report cites Manchester Airport as an example of how businesses could benefit from improved rail links. |
| The airports's owners claim NPR, which was first mooted in 2014 and has also been called "HS3", would "treble the number of passengers within a two-hour rail journey of Manchester Airport from 3.5 million to 10 million". | The airports's owners claim NPR, which was first mooted in 2014 and has also been called "HS3", would "treble the number of passengers within a two-hour rail journey of Manchester Airport from 3.5 million to 10 million". |
| Rail Minister Andrew Jones said: "It's brilliant to see widespread business support for NPR, and a recognition of the importance of linking it to HS2." | Rail Minister Andrew Jones said: "It's brilliant to see widespread business support for NPR, and a recognition of the importance of linking it to HS2." |
| The Department of Transport would not confirm when a decision on NPR will be made or when work would start if it was approved | The Department of Transport would not confirm when a decision on NPR will be made or when work would start if it was approved |
| It did say the £39bn required to fund the improvements would come from the public purse. | It did say the £39bn required to fund the improvements would come from the public purse. |
| In 2017, more than 70,000 people signed a petition calling for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to back the NPR rail improvements. | In 2017, more than 70,000 people signed a petition calling for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to back the NPR rail improvements. |
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