‘Build it once, build it right’, says rail report

Greater Manchester today launched its HS2 strategy, “The stops are just the start”, detailing how HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail could deliver on wider economic growth across the North, and create landmark train stations akin to London St Pancras.

Senior politicians, business leaders and economists were joined by Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP to launch the region’s ambitions for high-speed rail.

The strategy stresses the importance for Manchester Piccadilly to “build it once and build it right”, maximising benefits and minimising disruption by turning the station, and a new station at Manchester Airport, into integrated transport hubs that link international, national, regional and local services.

The strategy focuses on four key areas, designed to support the economic growth potential of both HS2 and NPR:

  • station design and infrastructure
  • improved transport connectivity
  • regeneration of land around the stations
  • investment in people, skills and employability

If Greater Manchester’s preferred option of a tunnelled high-speed facility at Manchester Piccadilly is adopted, then the area around the re-developed station is predicted to provide 40,000 new jobs, 13,000 homes and close to 10 million sq ft of commercial development.

HS2 is set to arrive in Greater Manchester by 2026 with full operations in place by 2033, while the business case for NPR is set to be complete by the end of this year.

Jake Berry MP, Northern Powerhouse Minister, said: “This Government is spending more than any other in history – over £13bn – to upgrade the transport network across the Northern Powerhouse.

“The HS2 Growth Strategy highlights the extensive opportunities and benefits that HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail will bring to the region.

“We very much welcome its ambition and look forward to today marking the start of an ongoing collaborative relationship, as we work together to develop a bold Northern Powerhouse transport vision that benefits passengers, drives regeneration, and gives value to taxpayers.”

Download the full “Stops are just the start” HS2 Growth Strategy Summary here

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