Manchester Airport and HS3 link vital for Northern economy, say MPs

Government plans for a new east-west rail link will deliver “truly transformational” benefits to the economy of the North, according to MPs.

Following a call from MPs for action, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones, issued a new pledge that the Government will do everything possible to integrate an east-west link with the wider North-South HS2 project.

Speaking at a parliamentary debate earlier this week, the Transport Minister also gave a nod to the importance of Manchester Airport within the plans, hailing its “power to connect” the whole of Northern England.

He said: “I can […] confirm that we are developing plans for HS3 alongside HS2; that they are not separate schemes being developed in isolation.

“We are looking at integration of the two.”

The support for east-west connectivity, which has been dubbed ‘HS3’, was voiced at a Westminster Hall discussion held on October 11 that focused on HS2 and the boost it could give to the North West.

Transport for the North – encompassing local transport authorities, combined authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships – has revealed a vision for a Northern Powerhouse Rail network centring around improved east-west links. The proposals could see journeys times between Manchester Airport and the key cities of the North significantly reduced.

The Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Mike Kane, commented: “HS2 will drive growth in the North, as other Members have said, and help free up capacity.

“We need the extra capacity, but we also need a station at Manchester Airport.”

He continued: “That will be critical to ensuring the benefits of the project are felt beyond Manchester as a whole, in the wider catchment areas.

“Any measures that help to reduce journey times and free up capacity on the existing network, enabling more places across the North to be connected to Manchester Airport will be most welcome.”

Speaking further, Mr Kane said that with the right rail improvements to open up the airport’s catchment area, it is estimated that “20 to 30 new long-haul routes from Manchester Airport would be made viable”.

Mary Robinson, the Conservative MP for Cheadle, said a HS2 station at the airport would “offer substantial further scope” for jobs and productivity growth.

She commented: “It will maximise the airport’s potential and recognise its capacity to grow and handle up to 55m passengers per annum. Manchester Airport employs 20,000 people, many of whom live in my constituency, and contributes £1.8bn annually to the economy. The £1bn transformation plan to develop the airport promises more jobs and wealth creation.

“That hub is vital to supporting development and key to regional prosperity and delivering the Northern Powerhouse.”

The CEO of Manchester Airport, Ken O’Toole, said: “It is pleasing to see politicians from across the political spectrum and from various parts of the North recognising the importance of investment in key infrastructure projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“It is easy to see why investment in road and rail is so important; transport is the bedrock of any economy, national or regional. Unless access between the major Northern towns and cities and assets like Manchester Airport is also improved, the North will not fully benefit from our growth.”

He added: “The North has a wealth of untapped potential and we are firmly of the view that integrating Manchester Airport with high speed and improved rail links, alongside improved road connectivity, will deliver substantial economic benefits for not only the region, but also for the entire country.”