Building a northern east-west HS3 link is a chief recommendation in a report published today by David Higgins, the executive chairman of the HS2 project.
In the report, Sir David identifies the vital importance of improving east-west connectivity across the north.
He concludes that with a high speed link the journey time between Leeds and Manchester could be cut from around 55 minutes to between 26 and 34 minutes.
He argues either a new tunnelled high-speed route or an upgraded rail link through existing but unused tunnels through the Pennines are possible options.
David Cameron and George Osborne have also welcomed Sir David Higgins’ recommendation to bring local authorities from the five key cities into one transport umbrella body.
They have now pledged to create a new body called Transport for the North made up of the main northern city regions.
The Government, working with Transport for the North, will now produce a comprehensive transport strategy for the region.
This will include options, costs and a delivery timetable for a HS3 east west rail connection. An interim report will be produced next March.
The Government is also launching a review into the costs and time it takes to build high speed rail, drawing on international experience to find ways to bring down the costs of Phase Two and future high speed rail projects.
The report from Sir David Higgins also gives strong backing to the case for Phase Two of HS2 and sets out proposals to maximise its benefits.
Phase two recommendations
• Stick with planned route into Manchester city centre via the airport – keeping open the option to add a new airport station.
• Review the best station solution for Leeds to include provision for increased east-west services through the city.
• Extended line to Crewe six years earlier than originally proposed to open by by 2027.
• Stick with Sheffield Meadowhall station plan to serve the wider South Yorkshire region, rather than city council’s call for Sheffield Victoria
• The East Midlands hub should be near the proposed site at Toton but its precise location needs further work
The Government will set out its detailed plans for Phase Two in 2015.
The Prime Minister said: “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.
“I welcome Sir David Higgins’ report which will help our work to create a Northern Powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic benefits.”
“To deliver world class infrastructure requires that as a nation, we ‘think big’. That is exactly what David Higgins has done in his report.”
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