Bristol’s Mayor is urging the Government not to forget his city and the wider region when developing high speed rail proposals. George Ferguson has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to push for investment in a new line towards Bristol, the South West and South Wales.

Mr Ferguson’s intervention followed the Chancellor’s promise of further rail investment in the UK last week, such as a new high speed link from Manchester to Leeds.

Better connectivity would unlock guaranteed better returns for UK plc yet national policy is clearly flawed by its exclusion of the west of the UK in its plans for the High Speed network,” Mr Ferguson wrote.

“Bristol’s economy has proved resilient through recession and is thriving in a new global economy. Of all the English core cities we have more highly skilled workers, higher rates of innovation and greater productivity. “I am forging links with Cardiff as our twin in the Severn region, giving us enormous economic potential,” he added.

A spokesman for Cardiff City Council endorsed Bristol’s call for high speed rail to the region. An HM Treasury spokesman said it was inappropriate to comment on further high speed rail proposals at this stage.

Photo of Bristol © 'David' @ Flickr

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