BEN HOUCHEN: We will come back stronger than ever despite tough times

The coronavirus pandemic has been extremely difficult for everyone, but there is lots to be positive about and we shouldn’t ignore all the exciting things we have to look forward to.
By Ben Houchen
Published 13th Nov 2020, 00:00 BST
On the right track.On the right track.
On the right track.

We won’t be defeated by the coronavirus - we will get through this and we will come out the other side stronger.

That’s why it is important to prepare for a post-Covid world to make sure we are in a great place.

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This includes my plans to boost capacity at Hartlepool railway station by bringing the old second platform back into use, improving rail transport for local people and businesses.

For years, Hartlepool people have been crying out for this, and I’m pleased that we can now make this a reality.

Securing more funding and improving Hartlepool station will help us secure more services, which means more and better journeys for our businesses and local people.

Even in these tough times, it’s fantastic to be welcoming yet another airline to Teesside International, with the return of Loganair, giving people even more options when flying from their local airport

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If I hadn’t bought Teesside Airport 18 months ago, make no mistake, it would now be closed with houses going up on what used to be the car park in front of the terminal. But we are on track with our turnaround plan: we’ve got new routes and secured jobs at the airport and kept our region connected to the rest of the world.

On the subject of things to look forward to, Christmas may be an unusual and difficult time for many people this year, but I want to make sure that isn’t the case for all the amazing businesses in Hartlepool.

Buy Local Tees Valley has been improved to let thousands of Christmas shoppers in our region know about the fantastic offerings local independents are still providing during the festive season. Just because some shops can’t open at present, it doesn’t mean we can’t support local jobs this Christmas.

Find out more and sign your business up for free at buylocal.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk.

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We’ve been through tough times before as a region, but we have always come back bigger, better and stronger than ever before, and I am confident that the people of Hartlepool, Teesside and Darlington will do so again.

Related topics:HartlepoolBen HouchenLoganairTeessideDarlington