Rail is vital for the future of the North

RAIL is fundamental to Merseyside’s prosperity. That’s why we – the rail companies in the North – joined others from across the country to launch our plan for a changing and improving railway that will secure almost £85bn of extra economic benefits to the country, improve journeys for our customers and better connect our communities, from Hoylake to Huyton and Speke to Southport. Only this plan, delivered by a changing partnership railway, will secure the economic benefits from current investment by the public and private sectors, and enable further improvement and investment. To get there we are making four commitments for change – for our economy, our customers, our communities and our people. We will use these commitments to frame and guide our decision-making from now on, and we will deliver – publishing a progress report every year – because the railway is so important to the North’s future prosperity. David Brown, managing director of Northern (Arriva Rail North); Amanda Hines, general manager for Virgin Trains on the west coast route; Andy Cooper, managing director of CrossCountry; Leo Goodwin, managing director of TransPennine Express; Martin Frobisher, managing director of Network Rail’s London North Western Route; Rob McIntosh, managing director of Network Rail’s London North Eastern Route; Jake Kelly, managing director of East Midlands Trains