The government has confirmed in its HS2 Command Paper that the Golborne Link, a section of high speed rail line, will be included in the HS2 Phase 2b plans for construction and taken forward to Parliament in a Hybrid Bill. This section will be essential in delivering full HS2 connectivity to Liverpool, as well as delivering the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said he will continue to lobby for the investment in full high speed rail for the city over the next four years, while interim chair of Liverpool City Region LEP Asif Hamid added: “Although the ultimate construction of this rail infrastructure may seem a long way in the future, it is the decisions we make now that will affect the prosperity not only of future generations, but that will also influence business confidence and investment in Liverpool City region in the shorter term.”
A report commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority revealed that the economic benefit of full high speed rail and direct connection to north-south and west-east would come to more than £15 billion, with 10,000 new homes built, more than 20,000 new jobs created and 2.9 million extra visitors.
This week (November 15th), transport secretary Chris Grayling insisted that the HS2 project, which will cost some £56 billion, will be completed on time, telling MPs in the Commons that it is “unrealistic” to say the link between London and the north would not open come the year 2033. The first phase of the high speed railway is expected to open in December 2026.
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