Following the coronavirus pandemic, economic recovery is central to the Government’s forward looking agenda. Without a broad-based economic expansion, it is difficult to address other challenges, from health to education. But an economic resurgence cannot be achieved without engaging the cities and regions outside of London and the South East. One of the factors in our unbalanced national economy has been historic under-investment in regional transport systems.

Transport is vital to a productive and well connected economy, allowing the efficient movement of people and goods in towns and cities across the UK. Done right, investment in transport infrastructure can create larger and more unified labour markets, improve peoples’ access to local services, enhance firm-to-firm connectivity, and expand access to new and existing markets. In other words, transport has an essential role to play in ‘Levelling Up’.

As the country looks to stage an economic recovery, HS2 brings into focus the essential relationship between effective major infrastructure and multiplier effects. It will form the new spine of our rail system, linking the North, the Midlands and the South East and it must form an important part of the investment programme ahead. But there is also no doubt that there were communities disappointed by last year’s Integrated Rail Plan – including in our host city of Leeds.

In this session, we hope to explore how increased transport investment in all parts of the country could deliver the Government’s flagship policy.

We’re delighted to announce that we will be joined by:

Jen Williams, Northern Correspondent, Financial Times
Henri Murison, Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Frank McKenna, Chief Executive, Downtown in Business
Josie Drath, Associate Director, Arup
Henry Kelly, Lead Economist, Midlands Connect
Jonathan Sharrock, Account Director HS2, Arcadis

Following the event, there will be drinks, nibbles and networking.

Can transport investment deliver the 'Levelling Up' agenda?