22.08.17
Osborne: Ministers must ensure HS2 redesigns include HS3 plans
Former chancellor George Osborne along with lobby groups representing the interests of business leaders in the north have today joined the call for investment in HS3, also known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
Osborne, along with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which he is chair of, has urged the government to “commit to reversing the under investment in northern infrastructure” and warned about the negative effects of downgrading a number of large projects in the north of England.
The Partnership is also today launching a campaign to lobby the government for the new high-speed east-west rail connections from Liverpool to Hull, starting with the line across the Pennines – an area that could also see its electrification project cut by the government.
“Specifically, ministers should include the planning for the future connections when they set out the design for phase 2b of HS2 later this year, remodelling four junctions to ensure they are complimentary with the NPR proposals, start the detailed planning work on the line itself and allocate a long-term capital budget,” he wrote.
Osborne argued that though the estimated cost of the Pennines line had been put as high as £7bn, the investment could be spread over a number of years to allow this to happen.
Writing in the Financial Times, the ex-chancellor admitted that this investment would “not be cheap”, but would “transform” economies in the north in the long run.
“There is no geographical reason why this cannot happen,” Osborne wrote. “The distance between Manchester and Leeds is shorter than the length of the Central line on the London Underground.
“The NPR fits with May’s stated objective of building an economy that works for everyone.”
Osborne’s call also follows a number of different authorities in the north of England also demanding consisted investment in northern transport infrastructure.
Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram have both previously criticised Grayling’s decision to ditch the northern electrification projects, and have also called on the government to prioritise HS3 over any investment in Crossrail 2.
And think tank IPPR North recently launched a petition to rebalance the “scandal” of underfunding in the north. The organisation even organised a public ‘moan-in’, encouraging northern residents to call into TV and radio shows complaining about the lack of cash put into transport in the north.
TfN's chief executive David Brown also told RTM that the Northern Powerhouse Rail network was at the heart of its plans to transform connectivity in the north by putting 1.3 million people within an hour's reach of the North's major cities.
“We look forward to ongoing Government support by ensuring Transport for the North is established as a single voice for the North with approval to become a statutory body by the end of 2017; acknowledging that our 30 year Strategic Transport Plan is necessary and realistic to deliver transformational economic growth," he stated
"We also look forward to planning for Northern Powerhouse Rail within the design for Phase 2b of the HS2 network in the Hybrid Bill; and committing to the development of the Northern Powerhouse Rail network as the third phase of the UK’s high speed rail programme, ensuring these schemes are planned and delivered in a seamless and cost-effective manner," Brown added.
"None of this will happen overnight, but commitment to a phased programme of road and rail investments now will give the North the confidence required for sustained economic growth."
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, argued that efforts were already being made to make sure communities across England all benefited from new investment.
“Of course, rail companies support growing the railway to improve connections for communities, passengers and businesses as it helps boost economic growth and makes journeys better,” he said.
“That's why the rail industry is working together on new ways of developing, financing and delivering projects in partnership so they achieve the best value for customers and taxpayers.”
A spokesman for the DfT also stated that the government had already made a commitment to NPR by giving £60m to Transport for North to develop plans.
“We are also investing billions of pounds across the north of England to better connect communities, build the Northern Powerhouse, and deliver improved journeys right across the region,” the DfT spokesperson explained.
Top Image: Matt Cardy PA Wire
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