Further clarification is being called for over a proposal to build a 50-mile railway line through Staffordshire to replace the cancelled HS2 phase 2.
A report commissioned by the Mayors of Birmingham and Manchester recommends building a new high-speed line from the Midlands, to Crewe and Manchester – but at a lower speed and at UK loading gauge.
The line would be known as the Midlands-North West Rail Link (MNWRL) and would connect Lichfield at the terminus of HS2 to High Legh in Cheshire, where it could connect with the proposed east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail.
The report, led by Arup, did not provide an estimated cost of the new project, but said financing should be “maximised from the private sector”, with central and local governments funding the balance.
The study stated that despite being slower than if HS2 were built, journeys between London and Manchester would be only 15 minutes longer than the initial proposal (around half an hour quicker than the current situation).
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Policy Adviser Declan Riddell, pictured above, said Arup had been asked to meet up with chamber members to help shed more light on the proposal.
Declan said: “Our initial observations are around funding – that is whether the proposal is likely to attract any government support.
“We are also keen to find out more about how this will link into the rail connectivity to key stations like Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.
“We would also welcome clarity about the use of the Handsacre Link which connects the HS2 line with the West Coast Mainline (WCML).
“And we would hope that an indirect benefit would be an improvement in capacity along the WCML.”
Declan added: “We’ve asked Arup to meet with our Transport Forum, to provide more clarity around the proposals so we can assess the benefits to business and commuters.”
Despite local questions, the two men spearheading the proposal are certain it is an effective solution to a growing transport problem.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burham said: “The report is clear – if we fail to put in place a plan soon to fix rail capacity and connectivity between the North and the Midlands, the already-congested West Coast Main Line and M6 will become major barriers to economic growth in the UK.”
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “Additional rail capacity to and from the North is vital for the West Midlands.
“It’s about more than quicker journeys, it’s about connecting people, communities, and businesses to jobs and opportunities.”
