The Liverpool-Manchester Rail Council was formed to develop proposals for the high-speed link

Announced at the UK Real Estate Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREIIF) on Wednesday 22 May, the early plans for the rail include transformational investment in Liverpool’s city center stations and a modern tube station at Manchester Piccadilly – an option which was highly contested. for inclusion in High Speed ​​​​2 (HS2) Phase 2, before its cancellation.

The new high-speed rail line would run through new stations at Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, connecting investment areas in the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester via prime development sites.

Following the dismantling of the northern parts of HS2, the government invited the two mayors to advise on the best solution for improving connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester as part of the NPR scheme. This informed the government as it set out its “next steps” for the NPR in March, and this advice is a continuation of that work.

On the 200th anniversary of the formation of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, which oversaw the construction of the world’s first intercity passenger railway, Mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham launched the council and set out their preferred options for improving the rail infrastructure linking the two largest city-regions in the North West.

The new Council will be chaired by the two mayors, with the leaders of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, and Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson, as vice-chairmen. Local authorities along the route will be involved in the planning, as well as the Port of Liverpool, Manchester Airports Group and other stakeholder organisations.

The council will now look to work with the government and engage with the private sector to help build a business case for the new line. Expressions of interest are invited from private sector partners who are interested in engaging with the board.

The hope is that this could be the beginning of restoring the entire NPR lineup once promised, Craig said “we also need to see Northern Powerhouse Rail delivered in full, from Liverpool to Hull – with a Manchester Piccadilly Underground station at its center – and improved north-south rail connections to ensure adequate capacity.”

A graph of the potential path the line can take

Earlier in the year, a new rail link between Handsacre and Manchester Airport was identified by Burnham and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street as their preferred option to replace HS2 Phase 2.

Burnham said: “Our region was home to the world’s first intercity railway, but today our rail network is not fit for purpose after decades of underinvestment. The scale of economic opportunity right along the line is huge, with investment zones in both city-regions and some major development sites, but the North West can only reach its potential with better rail connectivity.

“We have been able to make the case to the government for our preferred options – in Greater Manchester that means a new tube station at Piccadilly. The new Council will help us accelerate these plans and seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the railway the North needs.”

Rotherham said: “From the world’s first passenger railway powered by Stephenson’s Rocket to the Dockers Umbrella, our region has revolutionized UK rail for centuries. But unfortunately, the northern regions were forced to contend with infrastructure that would not have looked out of place 100 years ago. It stifles growth and holds the country’s economy back.

“The transformative investment in better rail connectivity between the two regions of the city cannot and is more than a regional project. This is a nationally important infrastructure scheme that would help unlock the enormous potential of the North and deliver a greater return to the Treasury.

“There are fantastic and passionate leaders in the North across business, infrastructure and a wide range of sectors. We want their help: come and join us in making the same transformation that Liverpool Manchester Railway did 200 years ago.”

Craig said: “Improving rail connections across the North of England is absolutely fundamental to our future success. Investing in better links between our two great cities is a key step in this and it is important that we get on with delivery and get it right, maximizing the opportunities that will be created. This board will be a strong start.”

Robinson said: “For Liverpool and the North West to truly realize its economic potential, we need a new era of rail – with a focus on infrastructure investment. The benefit of a better connection between Liverpool and Manchester would not only supercharge our economies, but the impact would be felt across the UK. This region gave birth to the era of customer train travel. It’s time to upgrade for the 21st century.”

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