EC Harris Mark Cowland Comments On Greater Rail Investment In The North
Nick Clegg is today calling for greater capital spending to fix “decrepit” northern infrastructure. In a summit speech, Mr Clegg will argue that modernisation of the rail network between Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield could boost the local economy by up to £6.7bn and create 30,000 jobs.
Mark Cowlard, is Head of Rail for consultancy firm EC Harris, and has decades of experience in the sector. Commenting on Mr Clegg’s announcements, he said:
“The north has long needed additional investment in its rail for wider transportation capacity and links. Last week’s report from Sir David Higgins has contributed to making this a possibility. At last we, as a nation, are now cognisant of the value that investment in our infrastructure has on our national and regional economies. These recent calls for investment should be applauded. However, it is absolutely essential that they are backed up with analysis of the socio economic and agglomeration benefits to provide a sound and urgent business case for investment.”
EC Harris is a leading fixed-asset consultancy working across a range of market sectors including infrastructure, transport, aviation, energy and the public sector.