Outside Influences

[Aceshigh]

Yet another massive development was given the green light this week .

https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northwest/green-light-for-32-storey-residential-scheme

There is massive optimism that Manchester is the "go to" place outside London but even I'm starting to worry !

It's like a god rush......

 

[Scottie Dog]

I presume that's a "gold" rush and nothing to do with god?

 

[EGCC_MAN]

I recall a certain poster on here saying something about a utilities hub having to be moved for MAN to expand, and that if MAN had to pay for that it would make the expansion uneconomical for them. Yes there is a disparity in spending between London & SE and the rest of the country, but that doesn't mean the SE should stop getting funded to satisfy the rest of the country.

It was myself who discussed the utilities hub issue. But you totally misrepresent me here. I have never called for "the SE to stop getting funded to satisfy the rest of the country" ... that is playground talk.

I advocate funding the public element of the SE infrastructure requirement in proportion to it's population size (and all other regions likewise). The prevailing situation sees the SE get its own share plus most of everybody else's as well. This is what must stop. They're welcome to their own lunch. They're not welcome to help themselves to mine as well. And as they've been gorging themselves at the rest of the country's expense for at least two generations now, I also argue that projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail should be approved for funding ahead of Crossrail 2 and upto £18Bn of support works to enable a vastly-overpriced third runway at LHR.

Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

 

[Coathanger16]

It was myself who discussed the utilities hub issue. But you totally misrepresent me here. I have never called for "the SE to stop getting funded to satisfy the rest of the country" ... that is playground talk.

I advocate funding the public element of the SE infrastructure requirement in proportion to it's population size (and all other regions likewise). The prevailing situation sees the SE get its own share plus most of everybody else's as well. This is what must stop. They're welcome to their own lunch. They're not welcome to help themselves to mine as well. And as they've been gorging themselves at the rest of the country's expense for at least two generations now, I also argue that projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail should be approved for funding ahead of Crossrail 2 and upto £18Bn of support works to enable a vastly-overpriced third runway at LHR.

Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

I apologize if my original post was unclear - I never meant to accuse you specifically of anything. My point about some people feeling spending should be diverted to the North away from the SE was not meant to be at anyone specific, but that the comments I've seen on this forum and across the web have suggested that is how some feel.

"projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail should be approved for funding ahead of Crossrail 2 and upto £18Bn of support works to enable a vastly-overpriced third runway at LHR."

As soon as you start putting one region 'ahead' of another you get disparity - an unequal spending in favour of the North is still a disparity. I often see comments such as "HS3 before HS2" or "expand Manchester airport before Heathrow" - why can't these projects be done in tandem?

 

[EGCC_MAN]

why can't these projects be done in tandem?

Because the capital available for public infrastructure investment is finite and can only be allocated once.

an unequal spending in favour of the North is still a disparity. " -

In the short term it would be a long-overdue rebalancing exercise. Nothing wrong with that. I won't hold my breath, though!

 

[Aceshigh]

Yes I tend to agree with EGCC we have to he careful re phraseology.

Whilst I'm evangelical about Manchester that is most definitely not at the expense of Heathrow BUT when I see comments about "diverting cash" it does cause some minor irritation as it suggests an allocation of cash that has been fairly allocated to one project being perhaps misspent elsewhere ?

As has been said, I think most of us are simply suggesting a fair allocation of cash in tangible projects across the whole of the UK.

 

[1-11days]

Unless the "pot of money" is going to increase, which is unlikely, then bringing public infrastructure spend to a more equal per head basis across all regions would necessarily reduce the London and South East spend. So I think in that sense surely a reduction in spend in the South East to re-balance across the UK is needed along with some other options such as easing borrowing restrictions for public bodies.

 

[Jerry]

a reduction in spend in the South East to re-balance across the UK

That will never happen. The pot of money will have to become bigger or the regions will have to be given the power to raise their own money.

 

[Aceshigh]

Liverpool has supported expansion at LHR, with the hope a connection will be re established , but surely that's a good think and will provide greater choice and accessibility. A short hop flight from LHR to LPL I don't believe will affect what Manchester wants to do with long haul connections greatly.

Just on catch up so sorry for the delay.

A fast moving story with the presentations to the transport committee who at least seem to be a bit more enlighted .

In addition Willie Walsh has made it clear that BA have absolutely no interest in operating, by way of example Liverpool to Heathrow so this would be down to BMI , EasyJet or Flybe.

I think WW is heartily sick to the proverbial back teeth of HAL suggesting rw3 will open up all these domestic routes, a key plank of the Heathrow case

Maybe HAL should operate these routes themselves given their confidence on a successful outcome ?

 

[Jerry]

In addition Willie Walsh has made it clear that BA have absolutely no interest in operating, by way of example Liverpool to Heathrow so this would be down to BMI , EasyJet or Flybe.

I think WW is heartily sick to the proverbial back teeth of HAL suggesting rw3 will open up all these domestic routes, a key plank of the Heathrow case

Because he's afraid of the competition for British Airways. I'd imagine Flybe would be the airline choice for routes like LPL as they can connect with other airlines while Easyjet is just point 2 point.

 

[Silvercity]

Just on catch up so sorry for the delay.

A fast moving story with the presentations to the transport committee who at least seem to be a bit more enlighted .

In addition Willie Walsh has made it clear that BA have absolutely no interest in operating, by way of example Liverpool to Heathrow so this would be down to BMI , EasyJet or Flybe.

I think WW is heartily sick to the proverbial back teeth of HAL suggesting rw3 will open up all these domestic routes, a key plank of the Heathrow case

Maybe HAL should operate these routes themselves given their confidence on a successful outcome ?

No I never though BA would do this but Flybe have suggested they would like to link the regions.

 

[Coathanger16]

So I think in that sense surely a reduction in spend in the South East to re-balance across the UK is needed

During which time infrastructure in the SE will suffer and this will see-saw back and forth between the SE and the regions.

I'm all for a fair distribution of spending, but that cannot come from taking money from A and spending it in B. The only answer is that the spending 'pot' needs to be increased and I think @Jerry is onto something by suggesting that regions should be given the power to raise their own money.

In addition Willie Walsh has made it clear that BA have absolutely no interest in operating, by way of example Liverpool to Heathrow so this would be down to BMI , EasyJet or Flybe.

I think WW is heartily sick to the proverbial back teeth of HAL suggesting rw3 will open up all these domestic routes, a key plank of the Heathrow case

I think the issue here with BA is that they don't want HAL, the CAA or the government intervening in where they fly to. By pushing the domestic argument, HAL has managed to get the government to suggest/commit to ring fencing some of the new slots for domestic services, meaning that if BA operates a domestic service using one of those slots, they won't be able to cut the destination for a more 'valuable' destination - much like what they have recently done at LBA.

Personally I think Flybe would be a perfect fit for operating LHR's domestic network - they already operate successful domestic networks from MAN and BHX - and have got code shares with multiple airlines that operate from Heathrow.

 

[Aceshigh]

During which time infrastructure in the SE will suffer and this will see-saw back and forth between the SE and the regions.

I'm all for a fair distribution of spending, but that cannot come from taking money from A and spending it in B. The only answer is that the spending 'pot' needs to be increased and I think @Jerry is onto something by suggesting that regions should be given the power to raise their own money.



I think the issue here with BA is that they don't want HAL, the CAA or the government intervening in where they fly to. By pushing the domestic argument, HAL has managed to get the government to suggest/commit to ring fencing some of the new slots for domestic services, meaning that if BA operates a domestic service using one of those slots, they won't be able to cut the destination for a more 'valuable' destination - much like what they have recently done at LBA.

Personally I think Flybe would be a perfect fit for operating LHR's domestic network - they already operate successful domestic networks from MAN and BHX - and have got code shares with multiple airlines that operate from Heathrow.

Well if the see-saw very occasionally and somewhat spasmodically alighted on our region even once every say 10 years I for one would be delighted.

At the moment it appears to have one of those Tom And Jerry type 100 tonne graphics wieghing it down in a South Easterly direction !

Infact its somewhat immovable !

 

[Aceshigh]

I aappreciate everyone outside the Mancunian Republic believes us chippy Mancs would not have a word said about our beloved Manchester Airport.

Here's news AND BALANCE. ...

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ork-14261838#ICID=Android_MENNewsApp_AppShare

"Car parks and scrubland are a blank canvas"

Well yes but are rents too high because the only thing which has expanded in nigh on 7 years is the Board !

Total juxtaposition with the unbelievable investment in Manchester itself with the insatiable rise of the scrapers. Not only are these leaving every other UK CITY for dead but most other European second Cities.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

I'm all for a fair distribution of spending, but that cannot come from taking money from A and spending it in B

I agree with this, but it is a fine description of the status quo for five decades and counting. The UK Government has been taking from A (the regions) and spending it in B (London & SE). Indeed, this cannot continue.

 

[Aceshigh]

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...ystem-1-9014719/amp?__twitter_impression=true

 

[Land23R]

The Yorkshire Post has some good articles.

A local example of a different disconnect would be the extra capacity provided in theory by the Ordsall Chord but which cannot be fully utilised because of non-decisions about infrastructure improvements at Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations. I know that's not down to the train operators who I gather are keen to provide extra services.

 

[Aceshigh]

Good to see Lord O' Neill back on piste!


https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...-re-14292988#ICID=Android_MENNewsApp_AppShare

 

[Aceshigh]

I was rather hoping Airport City would look like this by now.

Credit the excellent VDB on Manchester SCC Skyscraper, An excellent resource.

://www.urbinfomanc.com/manchester-development-map

 

[Aceshigh]

"MAGs" elite twitter team Shaz and Kyle have struck again this morning.

Imagery of The Great Wall with .....

Happy Chinese New Year
Direct to Beijing

Nothing wrong with that, except there is no mention thus far of Hong Kong which is in China and is potentially more important as its actually daily ?