Liverpool high speed rail link plans reach major milestone

LIVERPOOL City Region's campaign for high speed rail links has reached a major milestone with the publication of a ₤70 billion plan to transform the North's transport infrastructure over the next 30 years. Transport for the North's Strategic Transport Plan (STP) and Investment Programme, that was published, on Thursday, 31 January 2019, sets out a commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) connecting the Liverpool City Region to HS2 via a new twin track line between Liverpool and Manchester, and then on to other Northern Cities. The inclusion of the proposals is seen, for the 1st time, as formal acknowledgement by those outside the City Region that this investment makes sound economic sense, with the City Region alone set to benefit from ₤15bn in economic growth, 24,000 new jobs, 11,000 new homes and 3.7m more visitors a year. NPR and its connections with HS2 will offer faster passenger journeys and will provide the capacity needed for the doubling of passenger numbers over the coming decades, as well as freeing up capacity on the existing network for freight, helping the Port of Liverpool fully capitalise on its position as a Western facing port, with non-EU markets; something particularly important post-Brexit.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "This is a very significant milestone that shows the whole of the North, Network Rail and the Department for Transport backing our case for:- North-South and West-East high speed links. These links should generate ₤15bn of economic growth for the Liverpool City Region, by connecting people with opportunities, to create 24,000 new jobs, 11,000 new homes, and 3.7m additional visitors per year. We have got to this point through the efforts of all our civic and business leaders who have helped us make the case over many years that without the Liverpool City Region the economic benefits of any strategic rail investment in the North will never be fully realised. We have made our case, but we are not over the line yet. When this plan is approved we need the Government to put its money where its mouth is, and come forward with its delivery proposals as soon as possible."

Transport for the North set out ₤70 billion blueprint to transform the North's economy

TRANSPORT for the North has today set out an ambitious vision for the future of the North's economy, unveiling draft proposals for Northern infrastructure for the next 30 years. The Strategic Transport Plan (STP) and the Investment Programme would rebalance decades of underinvestment and transform the lives of people in the North. The STP outlines how up to ₤70 billion of investment to 2050 could contribute towards an additional ₤100 billion in economic growth for the North's economy; creating 850,000 extra jobs. The STP and Investment Programme mark the 1st time the North's civic and business leaders have spoken with 1 voice on be½ of the North's 15 million people, laying out a new pipeline of transport interventions.

The ₤70 billion pipeline looks to better connect the whole of the North, with a short, medium and long term plan for investment, that aims to transform connectivity for people and businesses, and make it easier to move goods to, from and within the North. The plan makes the case to increase spending on strategic transport by around ₤50 per person in the North each year to 2050. It includes flagship programmes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail; upgraded and new major roads; enhancements to the existing rail network; and the continued roll out of smart ticketing. The Pan-Northern Vision compliments local and Regional transport strategies and promotes new, low-carbon ways of travelling.

The next stage is for the plans to be considered by Transport for the North's Board, who will meet on, Thursday, 7 February 2019, in Chester. The Board is a true partnership between the public and private sector, made up of civic leaders; including:- Council leaders and Metro Mayors; representing 20 Local Transport Authorities alongside the business community. Subject to approval the plans will be officially launched by Transport for the North, on Monday, 11 February 2019, in Sheffield, at Transport for the North's Inaugural Conference. From 11 February onwards, these proposals will become Transport for the North's statutory advice to Government on what the ongoing priorities are for enhancing sustainable and inclusive connectivity across the North.

Barry White, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said:- "The Strategic Transport Plan is a hugely important document for the North. It is our vision for a prosperous Pan-Northern future and outlines how investment in transport could transform our economy. Our Investment Programme outlines how an additional investment of around ₤50 per person in the North, per year, could play a part in unlocking a ₤100billion increase in economic activity and create 850,000 new jobs. For the people of the North, this will mean more choice over where they live and work, access to higher quality jobs and better connections to friends and families. It will mean our businesses have more opportunity to collaborate, trade and grow in a sustainable way. This final Plan will be a statutory document written by the North, for the North, and will be our blueprint to deliver transformational change and leave a legacy for future generations."