Without the completion of HS2 to Manchester, the North faces transport challenges described as ‘Armageddon’ by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
- Andy Burnham has urged for a revised, cost-effective alternative to the scrapped HS2 northern leg.
- He emphasizes the detrimental impact on rail services if HS2 ends in Birmingham rather than extending northwards.
- A proposal for a Midlands-Northwest Rail Link is floated as a potential solution.
- Concerns rise over future transport capacity and the potential shortcomings of existing infrastructure.
In a significant statement at the Labour Party Conference, Andy Burnham warned that the North of England could face unprecedented transport challenges if the High-Speed 2 (HS2) train line does not extend beyond Birmingham. He highlighted the risk of slower train services and reduced seating capacity, compounding the existing issues on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). The WCML’s inability to accommodate double-length carriages and high-speed curves would result in an inferior service, falling short of current standards.
Burnham’s appeal to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer centers on revisiting the abandoned proposal for HS2’s northern extension. The initial HS2 plan, intended to connect London with Manchester, was curtailed under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government in 2023, primarily due to cost-cutting measures aimed at saving £36 billion. This decision sparked significant outcry in the North, as the cancellation suggested an imbalance in investment and resources.
In response, Burnham advocates for the Midlands-Northwest Rail Link, an alternative project designed to address the regional transport problems with significantly lower expenditure compared to the original HS2 scheme. This proposed line, potentially supported by private investments, would connect Lichfield to High Legh near Warrington. Burnham asserts that this connection could provide a pragmatic solution to the transport dilemma, alleviating congestion in both rail pathways and regional motorways like the M6.
Burnham further expressed support for extending the HS2 line from Old Oak Common into Euston Station, underscoring the necessity for Northern England residents to have efficient access to London. His warnings coincide with concerns from the National Audit Office, which flagged potential capacity issues following the northern leg’s cancellation. Upgrading the existing WCML alone, according to Burnham, would be disruptive and inadequate for addressing future demand.
The culmination of Burnham’s argument is a call to action, emphasizing the need for substantial investments to modernize the rail infrastructure. This modernization is deemed essential to prevent the region from sliding into a transport crisis as existing networks approach their limits.
The North’s transport future hinges on strategic investment and modernization beyond current proposals to avert a looming crisis.
