A NEW report by HS2 boss Sir David Higgins has reaffirmed the need for the new £50billion north-south HS2 rail line, but has also thrown weight behind the proposed east-west HS3 link between Manchester and Leeds.
A new HS3 link between Manchester and Leeds to replace the current TransPennine Express could cut journey times between the two major Northern cities from 48 minutes to 26 minutes with trains reaching speeds of up to 125mph.
Sir Higgins, the executive chairman of the HS2 rail project, states in the report that improved HS3 rail links in the North to complement the new HS2 lines were both 'desirable' and 'possible'. He said:
"I firmly believe that substantially improved services east-west across the North are not only desirable, but possible. We need to turn the aspiration into a practical plan.
"This is as important to the North as Crossrail is to London."
A recent statement released by Downing Street also gives plans for HS3 the 'green light' from Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, with proposals 'helping to transform the economy of the north'.
A new HS3 link between Manchester and Leeds to replace the current TransPennine Express could cut journey times between the two major Northern cities from 48 minutes to 26 minutes with trains reaching speeds of up to 125mph.
The new line would also open up possible links to Liverpool and Hull.
One industry expert has said the project, if approved, may cost around £7billion. Although, costs could fall if existing lines were simply updated.
HS2 and HS3
Speaking at the Museum of Science and Industry in June 2014, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Tatton MP George Osborne first proposed the high speed rail line (HS3) in order to create a 'Northern powerhouse' - a collection of cities forming a Northern 'supercity' to rival London as a global hub.
Osborne said: "We need a Northern powerhouse. Not one city, but a collection of cities - sufficiently close to each other that combined they can take on the world."
The goverment has now stated that a strategy looking at costs, options and timetables for HS3 is being drawn up. A report is expected in March 2015.
So what of timings? Well, don't get too excited, you're unlikely to be travelling by high-speed train for another decade or two.
Work on phase one of HS2 between London and Birmingham is set to start in 2017 and finish in 2026. Phase two from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds will begin in the mid-2020s and finish in 2033.
And timings for HS3? Nobody knows. We'll have to wait until the report in March 2015.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority have hailed the new report by Sir Higgins. Chair of the GMCA, Lord Peter Smith, said:
"In this new report Sir David states his support for a new HS2 route into
Manchester city centre via Manchester Airport and we believe this will
provide tangible, long-term benefits for the region as a whole.
"HS2 and the two Greater Manchester stations will stimulate unprecedented growth and regeneration and will put Manchester at the heart of a Northern Powerhouse."
Back in October 2013, Confidential published this article by Graham Stringer MP titled HS2: It Must Be Built.
Following that, Confidential Editor Jonathan Schofield published HS3 Before HS2: Parties Should Get North On Track First.
High-speed rail
