BUSINESS leaders are calling for further investment in infrastructure, improved transport links and better connection with outlying communities to ensure Manchester maintains its undisputed status as the UK's second biggest city.

The call came at the M.E.N Business Forum, which was attended by experts from law, industry, accountancy and the public sector and sponsored by Beachcroft and the Manchester Law Society.

The panel of experts included Leila Porter and Peter Southeran, partners at Beachcroft, Bob Heslett, deputy vice-president of the Manchester Law Society, Richard Guy, chief executive of Manchester Solutions, Duncan Sutherland, managing director of Inpartnership, Bill Enevoldson, partner at KPMG, north west Institute of Directors head Darryl Matthews, Rachel Green from Midas and M.E.N Media Editor Paul Horrocks.

While all agreed Manchester has beaten its rival Birmingham to claim the title of the UK's second city, and that it now looks to European capitals such as Barcelona as its peer, it was clear the city cannot afford to rest on its laurels.

They championed Manchester's `can-do' attitude. Darryl Matthews said: "Manchester is aspirational and aims always to be the best it can, whether that be in sport, infrastructure or leisure."

The panel praised the fact that the city has become economically superior by diversifying and becoming less reliant on manufacturing, as well as investing in infrastructure and regeneration - creating a city which international companies are now proud to call their UK and European headquarters.

Rachel Green said: "Inward investment is growing, and Manchester is a very cosmopolitan city, with many global players taking advantage of the excellent facilities."

Leila Porter added: "Manchester is helped by the fact that it has a world-class airport. Our clients can fly in from Zurich for a meeting and return the same day, which is far more difficult in other cities."

Rachel Green added that the city must continue to invest in new developments to attract companies.

Duncan Sutherland said that Manchester needed to ensure that its outlying communities reaped benefits.

He said: "We must ensure that we invest in and connect with these communities and they do not become further divorced from what is happening in the city. In order to do this, we need to work together to develop a long-term solution to embrace these communities."

The often `archaic' planning regulations were also cited as a factor that could harm Manchester's future growth - and the congestion charge was discussed at length.

The entire panel agreed that `something must be done' to solve current public transport issues, but Rachel Green said that many were still divided on whether the congestion charge was the way forward.

She said: "A lot of companies which are looking at coming to Manchester see the prospect of first-class transport links, which will be created from the proposed charges, as a major plus.

"However, long-standing companies believe it will hit their pockets in an already difficult climate."

The panel embraced the idea of an elected mayor for Greater Manchester. While recognising that it would be like turning the clock back to the days of the Greater Manchester Council, they believed it would help stop in-fighting between local authorities on proposals such as the congestion charge, as well as creating a powerful force for the region. Tweet