Airport can help close north-south divide, says report

BUSINESS CHIEFS IN CALL TO CREATE NEW 'SUPERHUB' WITH BETTER TRANSPORT LINKS

- PAUL BRITTON

MANCHESTER Airport can 'play a prominent role in closing the economic gap' between the north and south if it's linked properly with strategic regional road and rail connections, according to a new report.

The airport should be 'at the heart' of plans for high-speed rail and Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, it argues.

Business leaders and the airport have now issued a rallying cry to the next government for the airport to play a central role in rebalancing the UK economy.

The calls were made after the new report revealed what the economic potential of Manchester Airport would be if the right conditions were in place including direct new flights to leading global cities and destinations.

The airport, argues the report, could be a 'superhub' for the north, but better transport links are vital to that vision.

"Integrating with key infrastructure will enable people and businesses across the North to take advantage of the global connectivity the airport provides, in a way that would transform the experience, raise productivity and bring the north closer to the world," says the report.