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Artists impression of an HS2 train at a platform. Photo courtesy hS2.org.uk

The Midlands-Northwest Rail Link (MNWRL) project proposes to connect towns such as Leeds and Bradford – connections that would have been made as part of the cancelled northern leg of the HS2 rail link.

A consortium, led by industry heavyweights, including Arup, Arcadis, Skanska, Dragados and Skanska, and chaired by former HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins, has called on the UK government to establish a steering group to encourage international investment for this “critical link”.

It has also requested that the government retain ownership of the land purchased for Phase 2A of HS2, while further plans for the project can be developed.

In return, according to the consortium’s report, the new project has the potential to add up to £70 billion ($92.4 billion) to local economies, as well as providing the government with some £24 billion ($31.7 billion) a year in tax revenue.

If it were to be approved, the rail link would run from Lichfield in Staffordshire to High Legh in Cheshire, potentially providing a boost to a key infrastructure corridor, while easing capacity issues in both passenger and rail transport.

‘Better design and execution’

From a construction perspective, the consortium claims it has identified significant savings that could be made, compared with the spiralling costs of HS2, including a heavy reliance on private sector investment, as well as a design that incorporates lower speeds and simpler connections with the existing network.

It also states that some £2 billion ($2.64 billion) could be saved by UK taxpayers, compared with HS2 costs, through the reuse of land and design plans from the cancelled line.

The proposal largely aligns with the new UK government’s recently commissioned review of rail and urban transport, which suggests additional transport links in the region are urgently required, from an economic perspective.

Sir David Higgins, said, “We don’t pretend that solving the rail challenges between these two places will be easy. We know it will be hard graft.

“What we need now is for the new government to work together with the business community and Combined Authorities – take the practical steps to make a new rail link a reality. We have conclusively shown that a new line can be built cheaper and faster – we now need to get on and deliver it.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said, “Doing nothing is not an option as demand for rail services on the West Coast Main Line is set to exceed capacity within a decade.

“We are ready to work with Government, colleagues in the West Midlands and the business community to build a railway fit for the 21st century. But we do need early decisions to end the uncertainty.”