BRTAIN’S largest programme of rail investment since the Victorian age will move full speed ahead tomorrow when George Osborne uses his Budget to give the green light to Crossrail 2 and HS3 amid major new investment in transport, housing and other vital infrastructure.
He will commit funds to a raft of projects recommended by the Lord Adonis-led National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) to deliver infrastructure fit for the next generation.
The two biggest announcements will be Government backing for the HS3 rail project between Leeds and Manchester in the Northern Powerhouse, with a full blueprint to be drawn up by next year, and Crossrail 2 in London, which will be the subject of legislation planned to be introduced in this Parliament.
In a major boost for the Northern Powerhouse, the subject of a detailed report from the NIC today, there will be £300 million in the Chancellor’s Budget tomorrow for the following projects:
- Taking forward HS3 between Leeds and Manchester with £60m to develop detailed plans to reduce journey times towards 30 minutes, as well as plans for improving links between the North’s other major cities
- Exploring options for a Trans-Pennine tunnel between Sheffield and Manchester with £75m to develop plans, as well as looking at options to enhance the A66, A69 and the north-west quadrant of the M60
- Delivering significant improvements to roads with £161m for Highways England to accelerate upgrades to the M62 between junction 10-12 Warrington to Eccles and junction 20-25 Rochdale to Brighouse
Responding to the publication by the National Infrastructure Commission of their High Speed North Report, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Chair Councillor Peter Box said:
“I’m pleased that the Commission sees the economic benefits of connecting the cities of the north through improved rail and road links, and that it recognises the importance of Leeds City Region to the economy of the north, recommending that priority be given to connectivity with the Manchester City Region. The report also recognises the need to improve east-west road links, and the vital role of the M62 – as well as the need for a wider strategy, including investment in workforce skills, research and innovation.”
“Transport plays a major role in the economic prosperity of the north. Building HS3 across the Pennines, linked to HS2 when it arrives in Leeds and Manchester, will help turn our aspirations to improve the north’s economy into reality. To this end it is important that the construction of the link to HS2 from Leeds starts in Leeds, not in Birmingham.”
“But it is vital that the benefits from this improved connectivity are felt across the north of England. It’s not just the major inter-regional routes that need investment, we also need to see funding for improvements on key local routes as well.”
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