‘It will be for the best, but you can’t improve without some disruption’

Jan 3 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of Liverpool’s top business leaders last night claimed that the current disruption to train services on the West Coast Main Line was “for the best”.

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jack Stopforth said the ongoing engineering works near Rugby, currently severely disrupting rail services between Liverpool and London, would deliver long-term benefits to passengers.

Mr Stopforth believes rail travellers need to adopt the same mindset as the city’s road users during the notorious “Big Dig,” which has seen major roadworks take place in the city centre over the past two years.

He said: “It is a nuisance, that’s all.

“There’s very little we can do about it. It is like living through the Big Dig. It will be for the best, but you can’t improve without some disruption.

“It’s not an ideal start to 2008 but they are not springing it on us, we have known for years.

“We will have to get on with it.”

But other groups in the region are more downcast, claiming the delays are detrimental to business.

Downtown Liverpool in Business chairman Frank McKenna argues that the situation demands serious action.

“There have been concerns about the West Coast Main Line for many years, perhaps the latest delays will finally get the Government’s attention,” he said. “It is an absolutely essential link for the city.

“The train allows the flexibility that businesses need and there has been an increase in the number of people taking that option.”

And it will be small businesses that are the worst affected, according to the Forum for Private Business.

Spokesman Phil McCabe said: “The new year hangover has been made worse for many small business owners and their staff, who are returning to work this week.

“Staff are struggling to get into work, and entrepreneurs trying to make important meetings have been left stranded.

“Bigger businesses can more easily take this disruption in their stride, but small firms affected by the work are starting 2008 playing catch-up because of Network Rail's engineering staff shortages.”