Businesses across the UK have united protested against engineering work on a busy commuter line planned to take place ‘into the working week’.
Members of the Birmingham, Liverpool, London and Manchester Chambers of Commerce wrote to Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher, expressing concerns that engineering work on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) could have a ‘damaging impact on businesses and the UK economy’.
The groups said the 13,000 businesses which ‘rely on train services’ along the line are face constant delays “Network Rail-on-operator delays currently cause some 80% of the late arrivals on the WCML’s Virgin Tail services,” said a spokesperson.
Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said weekdays are the time businesses rely on the route most.
“We also need evidence that the project will be delivered to schedule, as it is previous overruns that have brought us to the current state of affairs. This is simply not good enough to keep UK businesses on the move,” he said.
Angie Robertson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, added: “Businesses understand and support the need to invest in our railways, and they know this work is essential.
Firms need guarantees that work will be scheduled to avoid damaging the economy, and that delays will be minimised,” she said.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008
