Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce says we need to push hard for projects such as HS2 to come to the Liverpool city region

Like many places in the North of England, Liverpool’s future as a place of business is dependent upon committing to stimulating or attracting infrastructure investment.

It is required to maintain our prevailing strength and unlocking the latent potential within our midst. Fundamentally, such investment helps build and maximise the attractiveness of our city region as a great place to live, work, study and visit. 

As chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce I regularly have conversations with businesses  who report that transport connectivity is a substantial barrier to growth, with connectivity for the movement of employees and customers a key priority. 

Infrastructure is a catalyst for investment potential, business growth and future sustainability, and these factors make it essential that the city’s businesses and local authorities work more closely when it comes to designing and delivering major infrastructure projects. 

By strengthening partnerships across the private and public sector at a strategic level and collaborating on delivering infrastructure projects, such as HS2 and Northern Power Rail, will make clear the meaningful impact they will have on the operations of businesses of all scale and size by 2026.

It is important that our ongoing commitment, support and coordinated voice remains enthusiastic and positive  for the delivery of both schemes.

I was on site with HS2 in Birmingham recently and the scale of building work there and at the neighbouring depot facility is incredible. The cascading impact on the surrounding areas is already demonstrating the magnetising effect it could have for our businesses and our sense of place. We must be part of it.

With partners in the city region, the chamber is determined that Liverpool should be a key participant in HS2 and the future high speed rail network. We encourage our business base to support a collective city region push to ensure it is delivered.

Through co-creation and collaboration between civic authorities and business businesses – as growth enablers and change makers –  it will be possible to find solutions that are mutually beneficial to the macro-economic ‘northern powerhouse’, as well as the individual businesses operating at ground level and increase the likeliness of attaining the right infrastructure at the right time.