{"id":57424,"date":"2015-06-01T12:36:53","date_gmt":"2015-06-01T12:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=50f798b6d5c3e22b5dc39e765869f8a7"},"modified":"2015-06-01T12:36:53","modified_gmt":"2015-06-01T12:36:53","slug":"speech-transport-has-power-to-change-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=57424","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Transport has power to change the north"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"govspeak\">\n<h2 id=\"introduction\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<p>Thank you for that introduction and welcome.<\/p>\n<p>And good afternoon everyone.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s great to be back in Leeds again.<\/p>\n<p>Four months after my last official visit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>to see progress at Kirkstall Forge rail station<\/li>\n<li>to meet with city leaders from the north and Midlands<\/li>\n<li>and to make my first speech since the general election<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you think it\u2019s significant that I\u2019m making it here, in Leeds, on the eastern leg of HS2, and in the north, then you\u2019d be absolutely right.<\/p>\n<p>And if you think it\u2019s a sign of intent that my themes today (1 June 2015) are growth, infrastructure, and HS2, you\u2019d also be right.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m here, delivering this speech, because the economy and infrastructure were the top 2 issues in our manifesto.<\/p>\n<p>Nothing is more important to this government than a healthy economy which benefits all working people across the country. <\/p>\n<p>And a balanced economy, which closes the gap between north and south.<\/p>\n<p>That means ensuring the recovery reaches all parts of the United Kingdom. <\/p>\n<p>From north to south and east to west.<\/p>\n<p>And we won\u2019t waste a moment getting on with the task.<\/p>\n<p>On a personal note, it\u2019s a real privilege to be standing in front of you as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/ministers\/secretary-of-state-for-transport\">Secretary of State for Transport<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Before I took on this job in 2012, there had been 7 Transport Secretaries in 7 years.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re in charge of long-term infrastructure projects, such a high turnover can be destabilising.<\/p>\n<p>So I\u2019m excited to be heading up the <abbr title=\"Department for Transport\">DfT<\/abbr> in this new Parliament.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"growth-and-investment\">Growth and investment<\/h2>\n<p>Three weeks ago, the British people gave us a clear mandate. To finish the job of fixing our economy, paying off our debts, modernising our infrastructure and securing a better future for all.<\/p>\n<p>They also voted for \u00a370 billion of capital investment in transport that we will deliver over the next 5 years.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, an unprecedented commitment.<\/p>\n<p>But the right commitment.<\/p>\n<p>Because we believe in the power of transport to change things.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"power-of-transport\">Power of transport<\/h2>\n<p>Decent transport doesn\u2019t just help people get around.<\/p>\n<p>It helps them get on.<\/p>\n<p>It opens up opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>It provides access to education and jobs.<\/p>\n<p>It connects businesses with customers &#8211; whether your market is Bradford, Birmingham or Brazil.<\/p>\n<p>And it gives firms a competitive edge.<\/p>\n<p>Great transport created the first Northern Powerhouse nearly 2 centuries ago.<\/p>\n<p>And it can create the second one today.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve already begun closing the decades-old economic gap between south and north.<\/p>\n<p>Employment in the north is up by over 150,000 in just one year.<\/p>\n<p>Unemployment has fallen by more than 20%.<\/p>\n<p>And per person, the north is growing faster than London.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m proud of that.<\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve achieved over the past 5 years.<\/p>\n<p>But our job today is to look forward.<\/p>\n<p>To create a foundation for long-term growth.<\/p>\n<p>And transport is a vital part of our plans.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll invest \u00a313 billion in northern transport over this Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>With major improvements to the A1, M62, M1. And A555.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re building the Northern Hub. <\/p>\n<p>Introducing new trains on the East Coast Mainline, built in Newton Aycliffe. <\/p>\n<p>And adding capacity for 44 million more rail passengers.<\/p>\n<p>And we are getting rid of Pacers as well.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"local-decision-making\">Local decision making<\/h2>\n<p>But it\u2019s not just about the amount of money.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also about how we invest.<\/p>\n<p>So the right people can make the right decisions.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why we\u2019re devolving power away from Whitehall and into the hands of cities.<\/p>\n<p>We created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/revolutionary-plans-for-northern-transport-set-out\">Transport for the North<\/a> (<abbr title=\"Transport for the North\">TfN<\/abbr>) to bring cities together. <\/p>\n<p>From Liverpool to Hull and from Sheffield to Newcastle.<\/p>\n<p>So the north can shape its own future. <\/p>\n<p>Transport for the North is a genuine partnership \u2013 and I want to thank you all for your work so far.<\/p>\n<p>By the autumn, Transport for the North will have a new independent chair.<\/p>\n<p>Who will truly speak on behalf of the north with one voice.<\/p>\n<p>That means a shared vision for trains and buses.<\/p>\n<p>For passengers using public transport.<\/p>\n<p>For reducing road congestion, and speeding up links to ports and airports.<\/p>\n<p>By working with <abbr title=\"Transport for the North\">TfN<\/abbr>, we\u2019ll upgrade the road network.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe a new road tunnel under the Peak District.<\/p>\n<p>And major upgrades to other east-west routes.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll help develop a new freight strategy for the north.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019ll work towards an integrated, trans-north smart ticketing system.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an exciting programme that will bring massive benefits to the region.<\/p>\n<p>So I\u2019m pleased that we\u2019ve got James Wharton here today, MP for Stockton South, and minister responsible for Northern Powerhouse within the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/department-for-communities-and-local-government\">Department for Communities and Local Government<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m also delighted that Andrew Jones is here, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who\u2019s handling Northern Powerhouse at the <abbr title=\"Department for Transport\">DfT<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"high-speed-rail\">High speed rail<\/h2>\n<p>As I\u2019ve said, the general election was a massive vote of confidence in HS2.<\/p>\n<p>Big transport projects have always faced resistance.<\/p>\n<p>Back in the 1830s, the first legislation to build a new rail line from London to Birmingham was defeated.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, the line was eventually built \u2013 and today it\u2019s called the West Coast Mainline.<\/p>\n<p>People questioned the M25.<\/p>\n<p>The Channel Tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>And HS1.<\/p>\n<p>So controversy needn\u2019t be a sign that the decisions you\u2019ve taken are wrong.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s certainly the case with HS2.<\/p>\n<p>HS2 is now a manifesto commitment of a government with a Commons majority.<\/p>\n<p>It also has wide cross party support.<\/p>\n<p>Support that many of you here today helped secure.<\/p>\n<p>So I want to thank you.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ve been absolutely central to the success of the project so far.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, the northern electorate didn\u2019t listen to those who tried to play politics with HS2 during the election campaign. <\/p>\n<p>Neither did the people of the west and east Midlands.<\/p>\n<p>So the argument\u2019s been won. <\/p>\n<p>HS2 will be built. <\/p>\n<p>The full \u2018Y\u2019 network. <\/p>\n<p>From London to Birmingham.<\/p>\n<p>And Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.<\/p>\n<p>With construction starting in just 2 years.<\/p>\n<p>HS2 will change the transport architecture of the north.<\/p>\n<p>But it will also change the economic architecture.<\/p>\n<p>Seven out of ten jobs created will be outside London.<\/p>\n<p>With the north and Midlands gaining at least double the benefits of the south.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, those benefits are already starting to happen.<\/p>\n<p>HSBC\u2019s decision to move its retail bank headquarters from London to Birmingham is just one example.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whats-next-for-hs2\">What\u2019s next for HS2<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/collections\/high-speed-rail-london-west-midlands-bill\">Hybrid Bill for HS2 Phase One<\/a> is making good progress.<\/p>\n<p>After being carried over from the last Parliament, it was re-presented last week, and is Bill number 1 for the new session.<\/p>\n<p>The Parliamentary Select Committee looking at that first Bill resumes shortly.<\/p>\n<p>But increasingly, and perhaps importantly, the spotlight is spreading to Phase Two.<\/p>\n<p>I want to see if we can bring HS2 to Crewe faster than planned, subject to further analysis and a decision on the preferred route.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m determined to deliver the benefits to the north as fast as possible.<\/p>\n<p>So I\u2019ll prepare a dedicated Hybrid Bill in this Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re not forgetting the eastern leg either.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll make our Phase Two announcements this autumn.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re looking at ways of using the HS2 line to introduce faster regional services.<\/p>\n<p>And at the case for speeding up construction of the Sheffield to Leeds section.<\/p>\n<p>HS2 will allow us to reorganise and improve commuter routes across Yorkshire.<\/p>\n<p>There will also be more room for local trains and rail freight, relieving congestion on Yorkshire\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re moving forward with plans for a new high speed rail links, running right across the north.<\/p>\n<p>From Liverpool in the west, to Hull in the east.<\/p>\n<p>Which will slash journey times.<\/p>\n<p>Provide a substantial boost to capacity. <\/p>\n<p>And help bind the north together as a single, powerful economic force.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>So my message to you today is this.<\/p>\n<p>We know the transport infrastructure across the north is not nearly good enough for a region with such incredible potential.<\/p>\n<p>Now we have the chance to put it right.<\/p>\n<p>Not by sitting in London and telling you what to do.<\/p>\n<p>But by giving you the choices to shape your own future.<\/p>\n<p>This is the best opportunity in well over a century to level the playing field between north and south.<\/p>\n<p>Not by dragging London down.<\/p>\n<p>But by firing up the rest of the country.<\/p>\n<p>The east and west Midlands.<\/p>\n<p>And the new Northern Powerhouse.<\/p>\n<p>With transport connections that match the very best in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>So let\u2019s get the message out there.<\/p>\n<p>Start preparing now.<\/p>\n<p>Because HS2 is coming.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s coming to Leeds.<\/p>\n<p>To Manchester.<\/p>\n<p>To south Yorkshire.<\/p>\n<p>And the east Midlands.<\/p>\n<p>The time to debate the various merits of high speed rail is over.<\/p>\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to get our cities ready.<\/p>\n<p>Ready for construction.<\/p>\n<p>Ready for investment and regeneration.<\/p>\n<p>And ready to embrace a new age of opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HS2 and \u00a313 billion transport plan at heart of Northern Powerhouse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57424"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=57424"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57424\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=57424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=57424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=57424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}