Leaders in the north have warned that the Government has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make the right decision for Manchester’s HS2 station - but that ministers are on the cusp of wasting it. And as the HS2 Crewe-Manchester Bill is prepared for a second reading in parliament, they have issued an urgent appeal to give the region the hub it needs to thrive over the next 120 years.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester Council, has stressed that the high speed rail line from London to Manchester, due for completion in 2040, is vital to unclog network capacity, improve connections between the North, West Midlands and London, and boost economic growth. However, she is joined by other leaders, rail experts and industry leaders in her plea that the Manchester station is built in the best way - and that means going underground.
It also means a rethink on the current plan for an overground turn-back station on the northern flank of the existing Piccadilly station, which, say its critics, will:
