Local authorities have redoubled efforts to convince Chancellor Rishi Sunak to support projects such as a new Deeside Parkway station and the modernisation of Chester’s station in the Budget Statement on 3 March.
A project that will see Thomas Street and part of Ducie Street in the Northern Quarter permanently closed to traffic has been awarded £2.3m by the city council.
A long-awaited public consultation has opened to help shape future design proposals for the much-criticised public square and surrounding areas.
The council has appointed Manchester-based civil engineers Rosgal and J Hopkins Contractors alongside Liverpool-based Dowhigh to a £6m framework to maintain and construct roads.
A section of the road is to be reopened southbound after bus company Diamond threatened to take legal action against Manchester City Council over its decision to close the road to vehicles.
The council has pledged to maximise the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” High Speed 2 presents for regenerating the city centre and improving connections across the North, but called for an underground HS2 station at Manchester Piccadilly and the removal of the nearby Gateway House office block.
The city council is planning to scrap almost half of Manchester's 30,000 city centre parking spaces over the next 20 years and could redevelop some off-street car parks, after taking over control of 13 former NCP sites.
The Government has unveiled fresh proposals for the High Speed Two rail link to boost Northern Powerhouse Rail connections, including additional platforms at Piccadilly station and at Manchester Airport.
Manchester City Council has published a draft 20-year transport strategy that includes the permanent pedestrianisation of Deansgate and a city centre “triangle” cycling route linking Deansgate, Whitworth Street West and the Northern Quarter.
The property company has secured the backing of Transport for Greater Manchester in a city-wide initiative aimed at supporting safe returns to the workplace.
