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Mayors

North of England Leaders Urge Labour to Commit £17 Billion to New Railway Line

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Leaders from the North of England, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, are pushing for Labour to recommit to a £17 billion investment in a new railway line between Manchester and Liverpool. The proposed 'Liverpool-Manchester Railway (LMR) line' could unlock £90 billion in economic growth by 2040 and provide thousands of new homes, jobs, and opportunities. Burnham, backed by business leaders and politicians, argues that the LMR will deliver on the Government's "missions" set out in its election manifesto, including boosting economic growth and building 1.5 million homes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed 'Liverpool-Manchester Railway (LMR) line' is expected to cost £17 billion, with the potential to unlock £90 billion in economic growth by 2040.
  • The LMR line would involve building a new 50km (31-mile) railway between Manchester and Liverpool, which is home to approximately 5.4 million people.
  • The current average train journey time between the cities is 53 minutes, and services are plagued by cancellations and delays.
  • The plan proposes building a new tunnel into Manchester Piccadilly from the airport, including a new underground through-station.
  • The LMR line could provide thousands of new homes, jobs, and opportunities, as well as strengthen Manchester Airport's position as the North's "global gateway".
  • At Warrington Bank Quay, the plan would be to expand the existing station on the West Coast Main Line and make the town connected to three of the largest population centres (London, Liverpool, and Manchester).
  • A new station on the outskirts of Merseyside, called Liverpool Gateway, would transform a highly deprived area and take advantage of being close to major employers.
  • The proposal calls for a tunnel into Liverpool Lime Street and major investment to reduce journey times and catalyse the city's growth.

Statistics:

  • £17 billion: The proposed investment in the LMR line
  • £90 billion: The potential economic growth unlocked by the LMR line by 2040
  • 5.4 million: The population of the area between Manchester and Liverpool
  • 53 minutes: The average train journey time between Manchester and Liverpool
  • 31 million: The number of passengers that Manchester Airport expects to handle by the end of the decade ( Source: Manchester Airport)
  • 60 million: The number of passengers that Manchester Airport could handle with the LMR line (Source: Manchester Airport)
  • 2023: The year the northern leg of the HS2 scheme was axed
  • 2040: The year in which the LMR line is expected to unlock £90 billion in economic growth

Sources:

  • Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
  • Report signed by 11 politicians and business leaders from the North West
  • Manchester Airport
  • Department for Transport
  • GETTY (for image)

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