Newcastle
With a population of over 270,000 people, and sitting within a city region of over one million, Newcastle is the regional capital of the north east.
Newcastle has a proud history of industry and innovation, bringing rail travel and the steam turbine to the world. After a period of decline in the 1980s, the city region is now growing new sustainable industries around marine technology and renewable energy. Newcastle is at the forefront of this renewed growth with 175,000 jobs, and 90,000 people travelling into the city each day to work.
The city’s renowned and competitive universities are centres for research and development, and are crucial to plans for the economic growth of Newcastle as one of the UK’s Science Cities. This will see a unique integration of science and technology research and development, as well as a major programme of urban development, providing significant opportunities to boost the economic and social development of the city and the whole of the region.
New buildings, public spaces and cultural initiatives have become a real catalyst for regeneration in the city, attracting people and investment alike – the Newcastle-Gateshead quayside alone has benefited from £1billion worth of ambitious new development over the past decade. This investment has transformed the landscape, reinforcing the strong sense of identity that already exists among its people and strengthening its status as a national and international tourist destination.
Connectivity is vital to the future economic growth of Newcastle and the wider city region, with existing transport infrastructure, including Newcastle International Airport, a major mainline rail hub, international ferry terminal and a light rail metro system rated as one of the country’s most efficient modes of transport. The integration of high-speed rail would significantly improve access to other core cities and markets, supporting economic growth and helping Newcastle achieve its vision of becoming an international city of science, culture and design.
“We support the development of a high speed rail network across the UK; linking the major cities and improving connectivity will be beneficial for the economic aspirations of Newcastle and the wider Tyne and Wear City Region.
Personally, I’m extremely excited about the prospects of a high speed rail network; there are economic and environmental benefits that can only be good for Newcastle, the North East and for UK plc as a whole. I welcome the launch of HSR UK and look forward to be involved in debates and discussions in the coming months.”
Cllr John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council