Rail board formed for new Liverpool-Manchester rail link

The new Liverpool to Manchester rail link took a step closer to reality as northern mayors convened at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on 22 May to announce the creation of the Liverpool-Manchester Rail Board.

Hot on the heels of the announcement in March of the preferred route, government backing and the recent re-elections of Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham in Liverpool and Manchester respectively, the new board is now in charge of drafting a strategy for the proposed £17 billion rail link.

Speaking at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), Burnham said that unlike HS2, the new rail line will “absolutely happen” before announcing the board which will oversee the strategy. The board will consist of Liverpool City Region Mayor Rotheram, Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham, Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig, Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson, Warrington Council Leader Cllr Hans Mundry, and Manchester Airport Group managing director Chris Woodroofe.

The new route is planned to run from Liverpool through Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Airport before stopping at a new underground station at Manchester Piccadilly.

Part of the board’s remit will be to look towards private investment to help top up the £17 billion ringfenced for the project. The new board will also be looking towards investment into Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Central stations, with Liverpool City Council leader, Cllr Liam Robinson stating that both areas were looking a little tired.

“There’s a huge opportunity in all of this to develop something that’s not solely a transport hub in its own right but, crucially, is an economic gateway to our city and similarly at the other end in Manchester and beyond.” He added.

However, Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, warned that this project should just be the start of the region’s ambitions, adding, “Improving rail connections across the north of England is absolutely fundamental to our future success.

“But we also need to see Northern Powerhouse Rail delivered in full, from Liverpool to Hull – with an underground Manchester Piccadilly station at its heart -and improved north-south rail connections to ensure adequate capacity.”

@rwilcockrail