The next steps of development for Northern Powerhouse Rail between Manchester and Liverpool have been announced today and have been described as a breakthrough for Greater Manchester and Northern Powerhouse Rail
The plan announced today could see services stopping in Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly.
The proposals could mean journey times cut by around a third, meaning the route between Liverpool and Manchester Piccadilly would be reduced from around 50 minutes to 35 minutes.
Meanwhile it could lead to an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly
It will also mean passengers are able to ‘turn up and go’, knowing the next train will only be 10-15 minutes away.
Capacity could also be trebled between Liverpool and Leeds, offering 2,100 extra seats per hour in each direction.
With this plan, Liverpool and Warrington, as well as towns in the east of the Pennines, could benefit from direct services to Manchester Airport.
Passengers travelling there from Liverpool could see their journeys to the airport slashed by almost an hour, while passengers from Leeds could benefit from a 41-minute reduction.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today we are setting out the next steps for how we can transform east-west rail links in the North, helping to boost economic growth between key Northern cities as part of our Network North plan.
“I thank local leaders and local MPs for sharing their views and facilitating constructive conversations. I have heard a clear consensus which means we can now take another crucial step towards delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail, part of this Government’s plan to boost rail capacity, deliver faster journey times and offer better connectivity across the North.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said
Today’s Ministerial statement is a real breakthrough for Greater Manchester. We have long argued for an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly and finally the door has been opened to it.
We are confident that it represents the best railway solution and also preserves precious land for wider economic regeneration, unlocking higher productivity for the region.
The fact that Northern Powerhouse Rail connects two Investment Zones in Manchester and Liverpool city centres, in addition to connecting directly to Manchester Airport, is a real game changer. It creates a new incentive to deliver the infrastructure that maximises economic growth over the rest of this century and beyond. At last there is the prospect of the UK Government having a level of ambition for the North of England that matches ours.
We are fast approaching the 200thanniversary of the original Liverpool to Manchester railway line, the first commuter line in the world. The most fitting way to mark it would be to build a railway which sets new standards for rail travel.
Following the disappointment of the HS2 cancellation, we acknowledge the way the government is now working differently with Mayors and Leaders on a more place-based approach to building a railway. We look forward to continuing to work in this way and we are pleased that they are open to considering new ways of funding, including a land value capture model.
As welcome as this news is today, there is a missing piece in the railway jigsaw. This is between where HS2 ends north of Birmingham and the route of Northern Powerhouse Rail in Cheshire. We are not arguing for a return to HS2 but there does need to be an alternative if the UK is to have a modern railway network connecting East and West, and North and South.
The High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill will be progressed for the approach into Manchester. We would seek to remove the section south of the Parish of Millington and Rostherne towards Crewe, in line with commitments in Network North. HS2 Phase 2a safeguarding was lifted in January and Phase 2b (Western and Eastern Legs, including HS2 East) safeguarding will be amended by summer this year, to allow for any safeguarding needed for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
