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Private investment might link West Midlands-Greater Manchester by rail

Mayors Andy Burnham and Andy Street meet with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rail Minister, and senior officials from the DfT

Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham are investigating solutions to better link their regions by rail, using investment from the private sector.

In a joint statement issued on enhanced rail connectivity following a joint meeting yesterday with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rail Minister, and senior officials from the DfT, they speak of ‘constructive talks’ around work to improve connectivity between the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.

Chaired by Sir David Higgins, representatives from British multinational professional services firm Arup were present, which is said to be leading the preliminary work.

‘We are immensely thankful to both for stepping forward, as well as to the other companies who have got involved in the work – not least Mace, EY, and Arcadis,’ said the mayors, adding, ‘we would like to make it clear that this work is not an attempt to revive HS2, it is about finding a different way of solving what is a national priority of better rail connectivity between our city-regions.’

Following news about the axing of HS2’s Phase 2 which sought to bring high-speed rail connectivity between the two regions, on October 2 last year, Mr. Street tweeted: “I won’t let HS2 go without a fight. The offer to the PM is there - work with me and the private sector, grip the costs, and build Britain’s future.”

The cross-party mayors say work is centred on the economic case for connectivity between the two regions, adding that ‘potential private sector funding models and interventions are needed to accelerate both connectivity and growth.’

Identifying capacity challenges on the West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and Manchester, the mayors are looking to the private sector for solutions, adding: ‘we have decided to seek the help of the best private sector brains to look at how we might creatively resolve without a significant bill on the public purse.’

RAIL expects to hear more about the options being explored after the group meets again next week in Birmingham.

Image credit: Secretary of State for Transport

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