NEEF

The future of the North East economy will come under the spotlight today at the region’s flagship annual conference.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon last night said he believed there was a strong case for a new high-speed rail link serving the North East. Mr Hoon told The Journal.

The prospect of a high-speed rail link to the North East took a major step forward last night when a senior Government minister promised to meet train bosses and prepare a detailed business case.

As delegates arrived at the Gosforth Park Marriott for last week’s annual North East Economic Forum, they didn’t have long to wait to be reminded of the reason it was billed as the most important in the event’s five-year
history.