HULL can play a vital role in improving business opportunities across the north of England.
That is the message from business leaders who met yesterday to debate how best to develop trade corridors, linking Hull to other major cities.
Lord John Prescott spoke at the Northern Gateways Conference at Hull Freedom Centre.
"It is essential to complete links between Hull and Liverpool and our northern cities," he said.
"The dispute is always about how much projects such as high-speed rail would cost. Instead of arguing about the cost, we should be thinking how that money can be used to increase connectivity in the north.
"Developing links between the east and the west is just as, if not more, important, than creating links with the south."
The conference focused on the need to develop and connect supply chains across the north of England and abroad.
Transport links, as well as increasing communication between local enterprise partnerships and businesses were heralded as the key to that development.
Terry Hodgkinson, former chairman of Yorkshire Forward, said: "We have a lot left to do to connect our northern cities, but together we can make it happen.
"A voice for the north is vitally important. We need to influence the decision makers in the south more.
"It is beneficial for our towns and cities to get connected to the south but it is also beneficial for businesses in the south."
Baroness Susan Williams, CEO of Atlantic Gateway, used the conference to highlight how the Port of Hull and the Humber region can play a vital part in that vision.
"We have to find ways of projecting the size of the north and Hull can play its part in that," she said.
"We have to understand how and where we can support growth and it's very important we have a better understanding of what is needed.
"In terms of logistics, distribution and connecting trade links, the Port of Hull can play a huge part.
"Developing the corridor from the west to the east is very important.
"I do think that transport is the key to growth because what we have to do is promote connectivity to secure investment.
"Hull should now be thinking how it can improve its transport links and infrastructure to fill the current gaps."
Kishor Tailor, CEO of the Humber LEP, said the Humber region needs to promote itself in order to secure future investment from national and international markets.
"People don't know where the Humber region is, what we have and what there is on offer here," he said. "We need to be telling people.
"Until you get here and understand what we have to offer, you don't appreciate it.
"It's a huge challenge for the LEPs and the economy of the north to get that recognition.
"We need to raise our game. We want to ensure this place is recognised as the energy corridor of the UK. I very much relate to a need to create a place and a brand."
