n his speech today, King Charles III highlighted the importance of the Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, which underpins plans to improve rail connectivity across the North of England.
The legislation is intended to unlock the delivery of additional rail capacity into Manchester Piccadilly via Manchester Airport, improving transport links across the region and supporting future economic growth.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said “Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre.
A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the King’s Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond. Over the past decade, we have become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth. Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Manchester Airport Group, Ken O’Toole, said that:
“By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world. That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the North
The project is included in the £45 billion Nothern Powerhouse Rail Bill
The first phase will see upgrades to the lines east of the Pennines, including electrification, speficially on the Leeds-Bradford, Leeds-Sheffield and Leeds-York corridors.
Henri Murison, Chief Executive of Northern Powerhouse Partnership, welcomed the news, but expressed frustration that the Bill had sat around for so long.
He said:
“The inclusion of the High Speed Rail hybrid bill to link Manchester Airport to Piccadilly station in today’s King’s Speech is a significant moment for the North.
“For too long, we have lacked the infrastructure needed to properly connect our major economic centres and support growth across our region. Re-starting legislation paused unnecessarily by the previous government is an important step forward towards changing that.”
