A new Manchester Airport train station is being proposed as part of government plans for a new northwest rail link.
From: travelweekly.co.uk
A strategy for reviving Northern Powerhouse Rail includes a route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington.
Improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield have also been promised.
New stations at Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level along the route have been outlined by the Department for Transport, with delivery starting in the 2030s.
The current direct journey from Liverpool to Manchester airport is one hour and 25 minutes, stopping 21 times over a distance of just 29 miles.
This compares with trains from Reading to London Paddington taking 22 minutes, covering 35 miles.
The DfT said: “The new direct line from Liverpool to Manchester Airport will give a huge boost to holidaymakers, commuters and businesses.
“To add more capacity at Manchester Airport sooner, plans have today been approved to lengthen platforms at the existing station to accommodate longer and more frequent trains, backed by £115 million.
“Meanwhile, there are only two fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.”
The government is also setting out a long-term objective to see a full new north-south line from Birmingham to Manchester.
Rather than a revival of HS2 Phase 2, a feasibility study will be instigated, “working with local partners on what will be delivered, when and to what specifications”.
A £1.1 billion scheme to progress planning and development work “as soon as possible”, includes improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations.
The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford station a new Rotherham Gateway station to improve connections to Leeds.
Improvements to the East Coast Mainline will cover Newcastle, Darlington and Durham.
Ken O’Toole, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, said: "This is a welcome and long overdue step towards the creation of a highly productive and internationally competitive Northern growth corridor.
"By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world.
"That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the north - maximising the region’s contribution to national growth.
"The project will deliver the public investment needed to ensure the north benefits fully from MAG’s £1.3 billion transformation of Manchester Airport. It will unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s existing two full-length runways - capacity that is available now.
"That is why we look forward to working with government and regional partners on ways to deliver NPR at the earliest possible opportunity."
Business Travel Association commercial director Andrew Clarke said in response: “The needs of the North and Midlands are finally being prioritised, after years of calls for a truly functional rail network. The current system is close to breaking point and simply isn’t meeting passenger needs.
“We welcome the renewed focus on east-west connectivity, but this must not become another HS2. We need delivery, not just promises.
“Businesses want clarity on integration and realistic timelines, not another decade of uncertainty.
“A joined-up national network, fully integrated with regional rail, local transport, and city centres, is the paramount objective. Without this, we risk repeating the mistakes of HS2.
“A link between Birmingham and Manchester will support face-to-face interactions essential for relationship-building, facilitate the work of professionals across sectors, and address the 62% of business trips that happen domestically.
“To realise its full potential, it must provide reliable services, universal accessibility, space to work while travelling, and come hand-in-hand with ticket reform to ensure it is cost-effective for travellers. The benefits of this infrastructure must be felt across the north and Midlands, not just in London.”
American Express Global Business Travel executive vice president SME Jason Geall said: “Better connectivity between the UK’s major economic hubs outside of London is essential to unlocking balanced, sustainable economic growth.
“Business travellers want to choose rail where they can because it allows them to be more productive while on the move.
“To make it a credible alternative and capitalise on that demand, UK rail travel must be more reliable, affordable and connected.”
From: travelweekly.co.uk
A strategy for reviving Northern Powerhouse Rail includes a route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington.
Improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield have also been promised.
New stations at Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level along the route have been outlined by the Department for Transport, with delivery starting in the 2030s.
The current direct journey from Liverpool to Manchester airport is one hour and 25 minutes, stopping 21 times over a distance of just 29 miles.
This compares with trains from Reading to London Paddington taking 22 minutes, covering 35 miles.
The DfT said: “The new direct line from Liverpool to Manchester Airport will give a huge boost to holidaymakers, commuters and businesses.
“To add more capacity at Manchester Airport sooner, plans have today been approved to lengthen platforms at the existing station to accommodate longer and more frequent trains, backed by £115 million.
“Meanwhile, there are only two fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.”
The government is also setting out a long-term objective to see a full new north-south line from Birmingham to Manchester.
Rather than a revival of HS2 Phase 2, a feasibility study will be instigated, “working with local partners on what will be delivered, when and to what specifications”.
A £1.1 billion scheme to progress planning and development work “as soon as possible”, includes improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations.
The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford station a new Rotherham Gateway station to improve connections to Leeds.
Improvements to the East Coast Mainline will cover Newcastle, Darlington and Durham.
Ken O’Toole, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, said: "This is a welcome and long overdue step towards the creation of a highly productive and internationally competitive Northern growth corridor.
"By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world.
"That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the north - maximising the region’s contribution to national growth.
"The project will deliver the public investment needed to ensure the north benefits fully from MAG’s £1.3 billion transformation of Manchester Airport. It will unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s existing two full-length runways - capacity that is available now.
"That is why we look forward to working with government and regional partners on ways to deliver NPR at the earliest possible opportunity."
Business Travel Association commercial director Andrew Clarke said in response: “The needs of the North and Midlands are finally being prioritised, after years of calls for a truly functional rail network. The current system is close to breaking point and simply isn’t meeting passenger needs.
“We welcome the renewed focus on east-west connectivity, but this must not become another HS2. We need delivery, not just promises.
“Businesses want clarity on integration and realistic timelines, not another decade of uncertainty.
“A joined-up national network, fully integrated with regional rail, local transport, and city centres, is the paramount objective. Without this, we risk repeating the mistakes of HS2.
“A link between Birmingham and Manchester will support face-to-face interactions essential for relationship-building, facilitate the work of professionals across sectors, and address the 62% of business trips that happen domestically.
“To realise its full potential, it must provide reliable services, universal accessibility, space to work while travelling, and come hand-in-hand with ticket reform to ensure it is cost-effective for travellers. The benefits of this infrastructure must be felt across the north and Midlands, not just in London.”
American Express Global Business Travel executive vice president SME Jason Geall said: “Better connectivity between the UK’s major economic hubs outside of London is essential to unlocking balanced, sustainable economic growth.
“Business travellers want to choose rail where they can because it allows them to be more productive while on the move.
“To make it a credible alternative and capitalise on that demand, UK rail travel must be more reliable, affordable and connected.”