Member Article

Leeds-Manchester HS2 Pennines tunnel should be a 'priority' says Higgins

Chairman of HS2 Ltd, David Higgins, has published his report endorsing two plans for HS2 including a tunnel under the Pennines to improve links between Manchester and Leeds.

Higgins predicted that a revamped ‘HS3’ rail link could cut the journey time between Leeds and Manchester by half.

He said the line should be a priority, with the journey of 40 miles currently taking as long as 55 minutes, often on crowded, unreliable trains.

Studies from Network Rail suggest a route comparable to Crossrail in London could be feasible, making Liverpool an hour from Leeds instead of two.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield said: “We are very pleased Sir David chose Leeds to unveil his report as it further reinforces the importance of our city and the north as a whole to the success of the HS2 project.

“Without question HS2 is the key to transforming the future economy of Leeds and the north. It offers huge benefits in terms of job creation and opportunities, driving growth and innovation and bringing people and places closer together making cities like Leeds and the wider city regions much more attractive for businesses to base themselves.

“However, just as important in Sir David’s report is the endorsement of the One North proposals and the need for a fully integrated national transport strategy.

“It is absolutely fundamental to the overall success of HS2 that all connecting transport links to and from it are the best we can make them to offer efficient travel across city regions and to help our businesses compete in a global marketplace which is only going to get more and more competitive.”

Chairman of HS2 Ltd Sir David Higgins said: “Improving connectivity is vital if Britain is to compete in the knowledge economy in which this country has a competitive advantage, but in which ease of travel is an essential element.

“Knowledge-based companies whether they are in high-tech manufacturing, the creative industries, finance or the law, have to be close, or feel close to the talent, skills base, support network, knowledge pools, collaborators and clients necessary to create the ‘hot-house atmosphere’ in which they thrive.

“That is why reducing the journey times between and within our cities isn’t just desirable for both passengers and freight. It is a strategic necessity.”

David Cameron said Higgins’s report would help ensure HS2 had the maximum economic benefits for the north: “Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan for the north to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hardworking people.

“That’s why we are backing HS3.”

The government will set out its detailed plans for phase two of the £50 billion HS2 scheme in 2015

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .