The North of England could get its own high speed rail link after the Prime Minister and Chancellor gave their backing to HS3.

HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins said that improving connections between cities like Manchester and Leeds is vital for economic improvement.

He said that with a high speed link, journey time between the two cities could be cut from around 55 to between 26 and 34 minutes.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor welcomed the move for a northern high speed rail system along with Sir David’s recommendation that co-operation on transport issues should be formalised in the north.

Martyn Haden, Partner at Strutt & Parker in Chester, comments: “The commuter villages and towns to the south of Manchester such as Tarporley, Crewe and Nantwich look set to benefit from the link to HS3 in the long term.

Any measures to help ease the congestion on the road network in this region must be welcomed.”

New body

A new body, Transport for the North, made up of the main northern city regions will work together with other authorities and stakeholders to allow the north to speak with one voice on decisions that benefit the region as a whole.

The Government and Transport for the North will now produce a comprehensive transport strategy for the region.

This will include options, costs and a delivery timetable for the HS3 east-west rail connection. An interim report will be produced next March.

By combining the strengths of the North’s cities, the government believes the proposals will help transform the economy of the north of England and play a key role in delivering a northern powerhouse.

Review

The government is also launching a review into the costs and time it takes to build high speed rail, drawing on international experience to find ways to bring down the costs of Phase Two and future high speed rail projects.

The report from Sir David also gives strong backing to the case for Phase Two of HS2 and sets out proposals to maximise its benefits.

His proposals include bringing forward plans for a hub station at Crewe to 2027 and a fundamental review of the right solution for Leeds station to allow connections between HS2, existing rail services and improved east-west connections.

Chancellor George Osborne said this is another big step forward in delivering both the HS2 links from north to south and the HS3 link across the Pennines.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin welcomed the report and said that only through linking the east and west of the north can we really unlock the economic benefits, not just along the route itself but right across the north.

However, not everyone welcomed the review, with National Farming Union President Meurig Raymond raising concerns over the uncertainty of the route.

He said that farm businesses surrounding the HS2 route are set to be compromised and the delayed decisions will mean the people who are set to have their farmland severed by HS2 are left in the dark.