Newsroom
18/02/2010
Transport Secretary Visits Darlington Rail Station
Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis, today joined council leaders, transport and business representatives from across the region to hear the case for a future high speed line to come to the North East. He also visited the proposed site for a new platform at Darlington Rail Station which, if approved, will improve East Coast Main Line and Tees Valley rail services.
Above: Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, holding the 'High Speed North East' report, with Cllr Paul Watson, Chair, Association of North East Councils
During the visit, representatives from the area also had the opportunity to discuss the development of the Tees Valley Metro as well as other Tees Valley projects such as the current bid to improve the area's bus and road network as part of the Tees Valley Bus Improvement Project.
Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis then joined representatives to visit the site of the proposed new Metro platform at Darlington Rail Station, which, if approved, will improve the capacity of the station to accommodate the proposed Metro service, creating a better local train service for East Coast trade and leisure.
Cllr Paul Watson, Chair of the Association of North East Councils said: "The Association welcomes this opportunity to brief the Transport Secretary on the North East's case for high speed. We have played a key role in putting the case to Government ahead of it publishing its report on high speed, which is expected next month.
"A high speed network has the potential to slash journey times by an hour between the region and London and would have a transformational impact on the North East and its economy, with predictions of a £3.1 billion productivity boost."
"Given the predominance of large urban centres of population in cities and city regions along the East Coast, there are convincing and credible economic arguments for high speed to link with the North East."
Andrew Johnson, Head of Transport, Government Office for the North East, said: "Transport plays a vital role in supporting business and trade in the area alongside providing opportunities for visitors and leisure.
"Today's visit provides a terrific opportunity for regional representatives to share with the Transport Secretary the region's aspirations for transport in the Tees Valley and to put forward the case for future investment that will benefit the whole region."
Councillor David Lyonette, Cabinet Member for Transport, Darlington Borough Council, said: "Darlington has a proud history of transport with its connection with the railways and more recently the airport and new road links.
"In building on this history, we are committed to continuing in that tradition of innovation and improvements to the transport infrastructure and, in doing so, supporting the future prosperity of the wider Tees Valley."
Notes for Editors
'High Speed North East: the North East's pivotal role in a future high speed network', was produced by the Association of North East Councils to make the case to Government for linking the North East to a future high speed network. The report can be viewed at www.northeastcouncils.gov.uk/highspeed www.northeastcouncils.gov.uk/highspeed
The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917 or 07957 823 864 (mobile); email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
Above: Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, holding the 'High Speed North East' report, with Cllr Paul Watson, Chair, Association of North East Councils
During the visit, representatives from the area also had the opportunity to discuss the development of the Tees Valley Metro as well as other Tees Valley projects such as the current bid to improve the area's bus and road network as part of the Tees Valley Bus Improvement Project.
Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis then joined representatives to visit the site of the proposed new Metro platform at Darlington Rail Station, which, if approved, will improve the capacity of the station to accommodate the proposed Metro service, creating a better local train service for East Coast trade and leisure.
Cllr Paul Watson, Chair of the Association of North East Councils said: "The Association welcomes this opportunity to brief the Transport Secretary on the North East's case for high speed. We have played a key role in putting the case to Government ahead of it publishing its report on high speed, which is expected next month.
"A high speed network has the potential to slash journey times by an hour between the region and London and would have a transformational impact on the North East and its economy, with predictions of a £3.1 billion productivity boost."
"Given the predominance of large urban centres of population in cities and city regions along the East Coast, there are convincing and credible economic arguments for high speed to link with the North East."
Andrew Johnson, Head of Transport, Government Office for the North East, said: "Transport plays a vital role in supporting business and trade in the area alongside providing opportunities for visitors and leisure.
"Today's visit provides a terrific opportunity for regional representatives to share with the Transport Secretary the region's aspirations for transport in the Tees Valley and to put forward the case for future investment that will benefit the whole region."
Councillor David Lyonette, Cabinet Member for Transport, Darlington Borough Council, said: "Darlington has a proud history of transport with its connection with the railways and more recently the airport and new road links.
"In building on this history, we are committed to continuing in that tradition of innovation and improvements to the transport infrastructure and, in doing so, supporting the future prosperity of the wider Tees Valley."
Notes for Editors
'High Speed North East: the North East's pivotal role in a future high speed network', was produced by the Association of North East Councils to make the case to Government for linking the North East to a future high speed network. The report can be viewed at www.northeastcouncils.gov.uk/highspeed www.northeastcouncils.gov.uk/highspeed
The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917 or 07957 823 864 (mobile); email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
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