High Speed Rail to come to Manchester

The Transport Secretary has announced the network option the Government prefers for taking high-speed rail north of Birmingham. The Government will consult early next year on building a 'Y' shaped high-speed rail network with separate legs from the West Midlands to each of Manchester and Leeds.

A 'Y' shaped network would allow the East Midlands and South Yorkshire to be served directly by the high-speed rail network, as well as Leeds, Manchester and the North West. HS2 Ltd found that the Y network would deliver a total of £25 billion more benefits than the reverse S.

Blackburn with Darwen Group Leader, Cllr. David Foster said," This is good news for the North West. Extending the high speed Line to Manchester will improve economic prospects for the region including Blackburn with Darwen. We now need to see a commitment to double tracking the line from Blackburn to Bolton to allow for a better connection service to Manchester."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has welcomed the decision to include Sheffield in the Government's plans for a high speed rail network.

"I'm delighted that we've managed to include Sheffield in the high speed rail route.

"It is a clear demonstration of this government's commitment to creating jobs and prosperity in the north.

"There are tough times ahead but there will be no return to the 1980s.

"The Coalition will invest in capital infrastructure like high speed rail and continue to ensure a fair deal for Sheffield."