£90bn Boost: Liverpool-Manchester Railway Project Unveiled

Welcome, Net Zero News readers,

In an exciting move poised to reshape the economic landscape of the North West, regional leaders have unveiled ambitious proposals for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester. This transformative project is not just about enhancing connectivity between these two vibrant cities; it stands to catalyse a staggering £90 billion economic uplift across the region. Furthermore, it promises to pioneer a new model for infrastructure development in the UK—one that is locally led, rapidly delivered, and intricately designed around community needs.

Mayors Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region and Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester, joined by former Rail Minister Huw Merriman and a coalition of civic and business leaders, are fervently advocating for governmental collaboration on this visionary plan. Their call to action is clear: a firm governmental commitment at this stage would enable construction to commence in the early 2030s. This timely investment would not only provide certainty for investors but also help retain the skilled workforce cultivated through the ongoing HS2 project.

A recent report outlines the specifics of the proposed railway line, which will stretch from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly, with strategic stops at the new Liverpool Gateway station, Warrington Bank Quay, and Manchester Airport. It is estimated that this construction will inject £15 billion into the economy and create around 22,000 jobs, laying the groundwork for significant regional growth.

The impact of the railway transcends its immediate construction benefits. It is envisioned as a vital component of the Northern Arc—an emerging economic corridor that stretches from the Mersey to the Pennines and beyond. According to recent analyses by Metro Dynamics, the successful implementation of this corridor could secure a growth trajectory for Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Warrington, and the Liverpool City Region, potentially adding a remarkable £90 billion in cumulative GVA to the UK economy by 2040. This could effectively double the size of the regional economy in less than three decades.

While the proposed line is shorter than both the Elizabeth Line and the East-West Rail, its potential impact is set to be disproportionately significant. By freeing up local rail capacity, reducing journey times, and bringing over half a million additional people within a 30-minute commute of both Liverpool and Manchester city centres, it promises to enhance regional connectivity remarkably.

The report also introduces a progressive approach to infrastructure delivery—one that is rooted in local expertise, bolstered by private investment, and shaped by cutting-edge technology. It advocates for a locally-led model that aims to bypass the delays often associated with national projects, ensuring better value for money and more timely results.

Chairing the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board, Huw Merriman emphasised the necessity of including this railway in the government’s upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy. He and his fellow advocates are calling for ministers to endorse this innovative collaborative delivery model.

The plans extend beyond the railway itself, proposing five new ‘growth opportunity areas’ around each of the stations—Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Gateway, Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Airport, and Manchester Piccadilly. These areas are designed to support the development of new homes, job creation, and regeneration initiatives ahead of the railway’s anticipated arrival. Collectively, the zones could unlock up to 500,000 homes and tens of thousands of jobs along the railway corridor, fuelling regional growth and development.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, passionately stated, “Two centuries ago, the Liverpool-Manchester Railway changed the world—kickstarting the railway age and powering a revolution in trade, travel, and opportunity. Today, we have the chance to do it again. Our new line forms part of a wider vision to unlock £90 billion of economic growth and 500,000 new homes—the kind of transformation our region, and our country, desperately needs.”

He further elaborated on the urgent need for improved infrastructure: “There’s hardly a person in the North who hasn’t felt the frustration of slow, unreliable journeys or missed out on things because of creaking, outdated infrastructure. For them, this is far more than just building a new railway—it’s about opening the doors to opportunity. Connecting people to better jobs, unlocking new homes, and making it easier to enjoy everything our region has to offer—from concerts and football to family and friends.”

Rotheram emphasised the importance of a cooperative approach, stating, “We’re putting forward a serious, deliverable plan that does things differently—developing plans at a regional level instead of a top-down approach. Not cap in hand, but shoulder to shoulder with government. We’re offering a new way of doing things: faster, fairer, and better value. With the right backing, we can get spades in the ground in the early 2030s and deliver the world-class railway we deserve.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, echoed Rotheram’s sentiments, saying, “Just over 200 years ago, the world’s first passenger railway was built to connect Liverpool and Manchester, transforming the nation’s fortunes for centuries. But Victorian infrastructure is now acting as a brake on both growth.” He believes a new Liverpool-Manchester Railway is crucial for the region’s economic future. “A new Liverpool-Manchester Railway would be shorter than both London’s Elizabeth line and East West Rail connecting Oxford and Cambridge, but would punch well above its weight in both growing the UK’s economy and better connecting our high-growth sectors.”

Burnham also advocated for a collaborative approach to infrastructure: “For too long, such major infrastructure projects in the UK have been delivered in a top-down way. We want to work hand-in-hand with the government to plan and deliver this railway from the ground up, enabling us to maintain our growth momentum for Greater Manchester. A new, locally-led delivery model will mean we can build our pipeline of regeneration, new homes, skilled jobs, and green growth around the rail line with real certainty.”

Huw Merriman reiterated the importance of investing in infrastructure to achieve the government’s primary goal of economic growth. He stated, “With years of concentration in the south, there needs to be a fair balance of where that’s targeted, and the time is ripe to rebalance the nation. The North West is growing and will grow faster with transport infrastructure connecting people to new homes, jobs, and skills to equip them for life.”

Merriman described the Liverpool-Manchester Railway as a “credible and convincing project” that will transform the areas it serves, making them highly desirable places to live, invest, and conduct business. “Certainty on its delivery will be critical for both the North West’s and UK’s growth trajectory,” he added.

He also highlighted the necessity of learning from past projects, including HS2, advocating for a new locally-led model as a demonstration of devolution in action. “The North West is unique in that we have mayors, civic and business leaders standing shoulder-to-shoulder ready to make this railway happen. Working together with the government, we can tackle the challenges that have come with such infrastructure delivery in the past.”

Previously, the government committed £17 billion to the Liverpool-Manchester line following the cancellation of HS2’s northern leg. The project’s inclusion in the High-Speed Rail Bill was confirmed during the 2024 King’s Speech, marking a significant step forward.

By strategically sequencing the project, local leaders believe this railway could retain the supply chains and specialist workforce already assembled for HS2, thereby avoiding the “boom and bust” cycle that has historically impeded infrastructure efforts.

In conclusion, the Liverpool-Manchester Railway is being championed as a pivotal element of the UK’s long-term growth strategy. From creating thousands of skilled jobs and reducing carbon emissions to unlocking investments and rekindling local pride, this project represents not just a railway but a vision for a more connected and prosperous future for the North West and beyond.