Northern revolution campaign is backed

A CAMPAIGN calling on Britain’s main political parties to commit to a revolution in the way government treats the North has been backed by Hyndburn Council.

The Observer joined forces last month with more than 30 newspapers and websites for the Power Up The North collaboration.

It came one year after the launch of the One North campaign in the wake of unprecedented chaos on the region’s railways.

Councillors in Hyndburn have unanimously passed a motion supporting Power up the North and will write to the government calling for a ‘significant investment’ in transport infrastructure, education and regeneration to ‘drive Hyndburn and the North forward’.

Coun Munsif Dad said ‘it’s time for real change’, adding: “We need to raise our voice to support such a campaign.”

The council has backed calls for a ‘fundamental shift’ in decision making out of London, a new commitment for northern rail funding, a ‘bespoke industrial strategy’, extra investment for the region’s schools and colleges, and a new programme for social housing and affordable homes.

Conservative group leader Tony Dobson said there was crossparty support for the motion.

Hyndburn council will also write to Highways England and Transport for the North as part of the consultation into extending the M65 to Yorkshire.