The potential benefits that a high speed rail network could bring to the North East are to be discussed by regional leaders.
Members of the North East Combined Authority Leadership Board will hold their third meeting on Tuesday July 15.
On the agenda will be a report on rail capabilities and the potential impact of the planned high speed rail network extension on the region’s schools, colleges and the local supply chain.
Members will also hear updates on the three key areas of the authority’s work – transport; economic development and regeneration; and employability and inclusion.
These include updates on the transport funding announced this week by the Government as part of the Local Growth Fund.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday July 15 at 2pm at Newcastle Civic Centre. The agenda is available at www.northeastca.gov.uk
The board is chaired by Cllr Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, and includes the five leaders and elected mayor of the six other North East councils – Cllr Mick Henry (Gateshead) Cllr Nick Forbes (Newcastle), Mayor Norma Redfearn (North Tyneside), Cllr Grant Davey (Northumberland), Cllr Iain Malcolm (South Tyneside), Cllr Paul Watson (Sunderland) – and Paul Woolston, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Lead responsibilities: Cllr Nick Forbes (transport); Cllr Paul Watson (economic development and regeneration); Cllr Grant Davey (employability and inclusion).