The campaign group calling for a direct HS2 link to Liverpool says it will step up its campaign after MPs gave the green light to the UK’s biggest ever infrastructure project.
The 20 Miles More consortium of local business and political luminaries says there is an “overwhelming case” for a spur into the city, given the Port of Liverpool's importance as a trading gateway.
20 Miles More Chairman Andrew Morris, of Home Bargains, said: “The vote means that HS2 will now become a reality and it is vital that Liverpool does not miss out on the opportunity to benefit from this massive investment. We are the biggest English city not on the HS2 network and the absence of a link would be extremely damaging to our business competitiveness and the future success of projects like the Liverpool 2 port expansion.”
Since its launch in January the business-led campaign group says it has won backing from some of the region’s senior business leaders, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Brian Simpson MEP, former chairman of the European Parliamentary Transport Committee who says a direct HS2 link to Liverpool was a “no-brainer.”
“The Port of Liverpool is a hugely important trading gateway to the UK and an integral part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). There is therefore an overwhelming case for linking Liverpool to HS2 at the very earliest opportunity. It’s really important that we have sufficient rail capacity to meet projected freight growth and the expansion of the port. In simple strategic terms a Liverpool link could be one of the biggest benefits of HS2 to the wider UK economy.”
20 Miles More says it will be attending all the major party conferences this year as part of its efforts to secure commitments for a Liverpool link ahead of next year’s General Election.
20 Miles More supporter Phillip Blond added: “So far we have had a very positive reception from our meetings with both Ministers and Opposition politicians. There is a growing recognition of the strength of Liverpool’s case. The city is coming together with a single voice and we are increasingly confident that this is a campaign that can be won.”
