Leaders all foresee a brighter future for region after pandemic
approach to transport by introducing more opportunities to cycle and walk, which will move us forward in achieving our ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2030.”
“ONE of the things the coronavirus pandemic has shown us in the North East is that the technology now available allows many people to work much closer to home. We should look to fracture Government departments and encourage large businesses to move hundreds of jobs to towns in regions such as ours. To do so we must ensure that transport and digital infrastructure is brought up to standard.”
“IN the coming weeks and months ahead, North Tyneside Council will be supporting and working with businesses, big and small, to help them adapt, through our Restarting Business in North Tyneside campaign, in partnership with the North Tyneside Business Forum. I am confident that together we can build back better.”
“THE Government needs to accelerate the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) as a replacement to EU funding in order to overcome deep-rooted economic weaknesses and national economic imbalances. SPF or an additional grant funding programme is needed at a level that is proportionate to meet the existing growth needs and address any longer-term sectoral issues.”
“THE lockdown created a situation where many of our members, some for the first time, resorted to using such web-based communication tools as Zoom and LinkedIn. While there will always be a need for face-to-face meetings, many realise how effective these methods are. I believe the continuing use of these applications can help business in this region break free from geographical constraints and promote their skills and lower cost base to win new business and create more jobs.”
“THE recovery for areas where small businesses rely heavily on tourism such as my home of South Shields will be difficult but not impossible. I have long argued for a bold and radical rethink of our town centre, so it becomes more of a creative space where people gather and socialise as opposed to just shop. That – coupled with the right training opportunities, transport infrastructure, employment opportunities and a more favourable environment for manufacturers – would ensure that our local economy not only recovers but actually thrives post-pandemic.”
“WE are working with our tourism businesses to ensure that, when the time is right, visitors will be welcomed back. We’ve already invested significantly in a new digital offer for tourism in Northumberland, as well as developing a new brand and marketing campaign. We’re poised and ready to go to ensure that Northumberland continues to be a destination of choice.”
“WHEN the current sad and almost surreal situation comes to an end, we need as a region to be ready to capitalise on what will surely be a national yearning, to get out there! And from my perspective there is no better place in the whole of the country to do just that.”
“INVESTING in transport infrastructure will make a huge difference in helping Blyth Valley and the region recover economically from coronavirus. Work is under way to restore passenger rail services on the Northumberland Line, and I am also pushing for an improved service from Cramlington on the East Coast Main Line. The combination of these will vastly improve accessibility and opportunities, with the Northumberland Line expected to result in economic benefits of up £470m.”
“WE need: Metro improvements; money for small businesses including shops to reopen; more money for our schools; more investment in public services; more parks for children/ youth clubs for older children; more social housing/improvements to existing social housing; and investment in libraries and community centres – a great source of leisure.”
“IF we are to come out of this period stronger than before, the Government needs to properly invest in the region – and that is especially the case when it comes to transport. Thousands of people without cars rely on public transport for their jobs and their social lives, and while providers slowly build back up to pre-crisis levels, they will need sustained support from Government. In the longer term, it’s essential that the Metro is extended to Washington (and other places) in order to meet the future needs of the region and allow access to major employers such as Nissan and IAMP.”
“CENTRAL to our economic recovery will be a consistent and cohesive leadership strategy that will enable us to exploit our workforce’s unrivalled skillsets and together, create opportunities for our communities to come back fighting.”
“SUNDERLAND is reinventing itself, with more than £100m being invested in Riverside Sunderland, a new urban quarter that will kick off the transformation of the city centre. As more families take the opportunity to explore what’s on their doorstep, we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Sunderland.”
“CORONAVIRUS has shattered many aspects of our society, but rather than destroy our communities, it has strengthened them. We should add to this foundation and rebuild society around these ideals of togetherness and solidarity. The Government has spoken a lot about ‘levelling up’ the region – now is their chance.”