Connecting Liverpool to both new north-south and east-west rail infrastructure could create a huge £15 billion boost to the Liverpool City Region economy, according to new independent figures commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and released today Monday 31st October.
Linked to this £15 billion boost, 20,000 new jobs would be created, along with 10,000 new homes and an extra 2.9 million more visitors a year.
The independent economic figures have been released on the same day as HS2 Ltd publishes ‘Changing Britain’, a report produced in collaboration with City Region leaders, which outlines how HS2 is essential to plans for economic growth for the City Region and across the North.
Crucially, the report also recognises the additional potential benefits of integrating HS2 plans with new east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail infrastructure being planned through northern transport body Transport for the North.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:
“Joining Liverpool to HS2 via Northern Powerhouse Rail is vital for our future prosperity and we strongly welcome that this HS2 report recognises the importance of this to Liverpool City Region.
“Our independent economic evidence today puts the economic benefit at over £15 billion for our region.
“It would be a huge boost to our economy that would benefit every family in every part of Liverpool City Region with the 20,000 new jobs, 10,000 new homes and 2.9 million extra visitors that come with it.
“That’s why we are pushing hard with HS2, Transport for the North and partners across the north to make sure that we get the commitment to deliver the full connectivity we need.”
Asif Hamid, Interim Chair of Liverpool City Region LEP, said:
“Our economy is already booming in the Liverpool City Region and has enormous extra potential that can be unlocked in our port, freight and logistics and other sectors by ensuring we have world class transport connectivity.
“Business is united with the public bodies across the City Region in calling for this and realizing the huge economic benefits this will bring.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Merseytravel Committee Chair, said:
“Our aim is to secure the delivery of a brand new, twin-track, rail line between Liverpool and Manchester that also connects directly to the HS2 network and a new station in the Lime Street area capable of receiving HS2 trains.
“As well as providing essential extra passenger capacity and releasing freight capacity for the future, this could halve the journey time between Liverpool and Manchester and reduce the journey time between Liverpool and London by an another 25%.
“We are very pleased that HS2 Ltd recognises the importance of integrating with other existing and future infrastructure, which builds on the National Infrastructure Commission report earlier this year, which explicitly recognised the opportunities presented by a new, twin-track rail link between Liverpool and Manchester, and a commitment to develop the options for how this may take shape.
We are continuing to work closely with Transport for the North and other partners across the North to secure the very best for Liverpool City Region.”