Plans for a new rail line linking Manchester and Birmingham as an alternative to HS2 will be unveiled this morning by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker
The joint report recommending a new Midlands-North West Rail Link would cost 25%-40% less than HS2’s scrapped second phase, and could be partly funded by the private sector,
It would run for 50 miles between Staffordshire when the current plans to build HS2 end and will join a planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line to the west of Manchester airport
The scheme is based on a report by Arup-led private sector consortium chaired by former HS2 boss Sir David Higgins which has recommended the plan as being the best option following the last Government’s cancellation of the HS2 leg linking Manchester and Birmingham
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burham said:
“The report is clear: if we fail to put in place a plan soon to fix rail capacity and connectivity between the North and the Midlands, the already-congested West Coast Main Line and M6 will become major barriers to economic growth in the UK.
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker added:
“Additional rail capacity to and from the North is vital for the West Midlands. It’s about more than quicker journeys, it’s about connecting people, communities, and businesses to jobs and opportunities. I’ll work with the Government to ensure this happens.”
