Responding to today’s Queen Speech, Darren Reed – UK head of rail – said:
“We welcome the increased powers proposed to the UK’s cities and towns in the City Devolution Bill, which will empower regional economies and ensure growth is shared across the UK. If the government is serious about addressing productivity as their next big economic challenge they will need to keep momentum on large infrastructure projects, such as the proposed high speed rail network, linking the great Northern cities. That said, as the global financial centre, London also needs investment and we already looking forward to the next tranche of projects, such as Crossrail 2 and a much needed road crossing east of Tower Bridge, which can’t come soon enough.“