Connecting Leeds, Bradford and Manchester by high-speed trains could deliver the boost, according to a major study by an engineering consultancy
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A key rail link across the North could pump £22billion into the economy over the next three decades, a study reveals today.
A high-speed connection between Leeds, Bradford and Manchester could deliver the boost – which is £8bn more than previously forecast, according to a report from engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald launched this morning in Leeds.
The transport leg forms part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme, also called HS3, which Boris Johnson trumpeted at his Conservative Party conference speech in Manchester last week.
The Prime Minister told activists: “We will do Northern Powerhouse Rail, we will link up the cities of the Midlands and the North.”
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Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
Details of NPR are expected to be revealed within days when the Government finally unveils its long-delayed Integrated Rail Plan.
Mott MacDonald managing director Cathy Travers said: ‘’Many of us who live and work in the North of England understand the untapped potential that we have across the region.
“We know that we need true connectivity to unleash that potential and enhance people’s opportunities and drive better social outcomes.
“Northern Powerhouse Rail is a catalyst for this change and we need it urgently. In this report we have applied Mott MacDonald’s leading expertise in economic analysis and our experience of infrastructure investment to show the full economic benefit of delivering a new rail link between Leeds, Bradford and Manchester as the first step in kickstarting a northern renaissance.
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Getty Images)
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Courtesy of Mott MacDonald)
“I believe our paper makes a compelling case for Government backing for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the forthcoming Integrated Rail Plan.”
According to the study, going ahead with the Leeds, Bradford and Manchester link could fire-up productivity by 6% – equivalent to £16.5bn; raise the employment rate by 1.5% – equivalent to £5.5bn; and bolster gross value added in the North by about 8% over 10 years.
Regional leaders have become increasingly frustrated at repeated delays to the IRP, which was originally due to be published at the end of last year.
They have warned that confusion and uncertainty undermines local business confidence.
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Getty Images/iStockphoto)
There is also mounting anger at the Government’s refusal to commit to building the eastern leg of HS2, linking Birmingham and Leed.
Despite growing anxiety over the future of the scheme’s eastern flank, the PM failed to even mention HS2 during his conference speech – casting fresh doubt on a major plank of the 225mph high speed network, which could cost up to £106bn.
Northern Powerhouse Partnership director Henri Murison said: “The North is still waiting for the high-speed rail we were promised.
“Building Northern Powerhouse Rail across the Pennines in full through Bradford would be transformative for our region, attracting investment and creating jobs and opportunities for local people.
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Courtesy of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership)
“Uncertainty over rail investment, in particular the eastern leg of HS2, is doing huge damage to our economy.
“We need to start building from the North down from Leeds to reach Sheffield to unlock connectivity benefits sooner.
“This is vital to releasing much-needed capacity on the rail line, improving local connections and allowing more goods to be transported by freight instead of heavily-polluting HGV lorries.
“Levelling up cannot and will not happen without the full delivery of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail together.”
The IRP is expected to be published in the run-up to the Budget on October 27.
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