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| HS3: Manchester to Leeds in half an hour as rail plan is ready to depart | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Train journey times between the north of England’s biggest cities would be halved under plans published on Monday for new high-speed rail services across the Pennines. | Train journey times between the north of England’s biggest cities would be halved under plans published on Monday for new high-speed rail services across the Pennines. |
| The scheme, promoted by the head of the £50bn HS2 project, would slash the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a maximum of 34 minutes. | The scheme, promoted by the head of the £50bn HS2 project, would slash the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a maximum of 34 minutes. |
| It has won the backing of the Government, with the Chancellor, George Osborne, declaring that the project would be “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London”. | It has won the backing of the Government, with the Chancellor, George Osborne, declaring that the project would be “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London”. |
| The proposals have been drawn up by Sir David Higgins, the chairman of HS2 Ltd, the company behind the controversial scheme to build a high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham with further spurs to Manchester and Leeds. | The proposals have been drawn up by Sir David Higgins, the chairman of HS2 Ltd, the company behind the controversial scheme to build a high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham with further spurs to Manchester and Leeds. |
| Phase one, between London and Birmingham, is due to be built by 2026 although it has run into fierce opposition from local communities. The second phase, to the North-west and Yorkshire, is scheduled for completion by 2033, but Sir David is keen for the timetable to be accelerated. | Phase one, between London and Birmingham, is due to be built by 2026 although it has run into fierce opposition from local communities. The second phase, to the North-west and Yorkshire, is scheduled for completion by 2033, but Sir David is keen for the timetable to be accelerated. |
| In a new report he says alternatives to the proposed second phase would not produce the same capacity, connectivity and economic benefits. | In a new report he says alternatives to the proposed second phase would not produce the same capacity, connectivity and economic benefits. |
| George Osborne declared the project would be 'as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London' | George Osborne declared the project would be 'as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London' |
| He also urges a further stage, dubbed HS3, to improve services between east and west in northern England. The line, which would cost more than £5bn from a proposed £15bn fund for transport improvements in the North, would reduce journey times between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. | He also urges a further stage, dubbed HS3, to improve services between east and west in northern England. The line, which would cost more than £5bn from a proposed £15bn fund for transport improvements in the North, would reduce journey times between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. |
| Sir David also calls in the report for the go-ahead to be given to both legs of the proposed HS2 network. | Sir David also calls in the report for the go-ahead to be given to both legs of the proposed HS2 network. |
| David Cameron said: “Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan for the North to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hard-working people. That’s why we are backing HS3. | David Cameron said: “Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan for the North to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hard-working people. That’s why we are backing HS3. |
| “I welcome Sir David Higgins’ report which will help our work to create a northern powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic benefits.” | “I welcome Sir David Higgins’ report which will help our work to create a northern powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic benefits.” |
| The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: “There’s no point developing north-south links without promoting the connectivity of the cities in the North.” | The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: “There’s no point developing north-south links without promoting the connectivity of the cities in the North.” |
| The shadow Transport Secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “Labour supports high-speed rail to improve the connections between cities in the North and Midlands and London.” | The shadow Transport Secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “Labour supports high-speed rail to improve the connections between cities in the North and Midlands and London.” |