YP Comment: A '˜New Deal' for the North? George Osborne's Budget test

This year has been no exception with Mr Osborne confirming £300m of road and rail improvements with the specific objectives of improving transport links across the Pennines as part of his Northern Powerhouse agenda. It’s a start – a downpayment which should represent just the beginning of a “New Deal” for the North rather than a token gesture to offset the decision to explore the feasibility of a second new railway for London in as many decades.

As Mr Chancellor should know, the Northern Powerhouse will only work if it extends beyond Greater Manchester – and his adjacent Cheshire constituency. It should also transcend Leeds, a primary beneficiary of this transport announcement. It’s about unlocking the potential of the whole region – and it means making sure that the Government is doing everything within its power to ensure that the untapped potential of cities like Sheffield, Bradford and Hull, all areas synonymous with Britain’s industrial and manufacturing heritage, is realised.

For this to happen, it’s even more important that Yorkshire’s political and business leaders settle their devolution differences and work together for the collective greater good. The petty parochialism, and political point scoring of the past and present, needs to end now – it’s a source of regret that today’s speech is unlikely to offer any clarity on Yorkshire’s future governance a year after Mr Osborne devolved unprecedented powers to the North West.

In order to demonstrate to the Government – and potential investors – that Yorkshire is a forward-thinking and dynamic county which is the best place in an increasingly federal UK to do business, local leaders should have greater oversight of these transport improvements.

In this regard, Transport for the North must not be allowed to become a creature of Government. If political and business chiefs have more ownership, it will lessen the likelihood of delays as Ministers come under pressure to spend an even greater proportion of the infrastructure budget on London and the South East’s never-ending demands while it will allow local decision-makers to maximise those commercial opportunities which should be derived from transport schemes of this scale. There is no reason why this process cannot begin now, irrespective of the outcome of the political dialogue which has been rekindled.

That said, Mr Osborne – a far more resolute and steadfast Chancellor than many had anticipated in 2010 – will be guilty of naivety if he thinks that one headline announcement will suffice. It will not in the current climate. The Yorkshire Post has now been waiting more than 50 days for a response to its open letter on flooding and related issues; one of the Bradford Media Museum’s major exhibits is being moved to London; Civil Service jobs are being switched from Sheffield to London in spite of commitments to the contrary; Hull can’t afford a pedestrian footbridge when it welcomes the world to next year’s City of Culture celebration while Yorkshire’s former coalfield communities still need reviving. And so it goes on.

As he weighs up the public finances, and other economic considerations, George Osborne should begin his Budget from this perspective: If the policy 
will benefit the North, he should sanction it. If it will penalise this region or exacerbate the North-South divide, he should think again. After all, he is the Chancellor who has staked his reputation on creating a Northern Powerhouse. Now he needs to build it.

Best feet forward: Wainwright Walk is victim of its own success

ALFRED Wainwright, a humble stonemason’s son, could hardly have envisaged the popularity of the iconic Coast to Coast walk from Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire to St Bees in Cumbria.

Affectionately known as Wainwright’s Way in defence to his timeless guide which has stood the test of time, it is now in danger of becoming a victim of its own success because of wear and tear as so many outdoor enthusiasts walk along parts, or all, of the 192-mile route.

As such, it is hoped that all those who use the walk, or simply care about the countryside, can put their best feet forward and support the crowdfunding appeal launched by television personalities Julia Bradbury and Amanda Owen amongst others.

Not only will they be protecting the footpaths for future generations to enjoy – but they will be honouring the memory of an inspirational man who loved nothing more than the reinvigorating solitude offered by fell landscapes.