Transport links in the North of England need ‘significant investment’ to improve the connections between economic centres, a new report has concluded.
In its third report, the National Infrastructure Commission has warned an immediate plan is needed to help increase capacity, reduce journey times and improve the reliability of transport in the North.
According to the Commission, HS3 needs to be ‘kickstarted’ in the region and integrated with HS2 as soon as possible. The Commission is also calling for investment in roads to be brought forwards to help boost capacity on the M62, with the aim of cutting journey times by up to 20%.
‘If the North is to become a powerhouse it has to be better connected,’ said Lord Adonis, who led the review.
‘Leeds and Manchester are just forty miles apart but there is no quick and easy way to travel between the two. In rush hour it can take more than two hours by car, by train it can be almost an hour.
‘So we should kick start HS3 across the Pennines and slash journey times to just 30 minutes. But we must not wait decades for change - journey times should be cut to 40 minutes by 2022.’
The report makes several other recommendations including redeveloping Manchester Piccadilly rail station and funding for a package of further enhancements to the northern road network.
