Liverpool City Region LEP Chair Robert Hough welcomed today’s announcement and the prospect of Liverpool to London journey times of 1hr 36mins.
He said: “HS2 represents a huge investment in the country’s transport infrastructure with the potential to deliver a once in a generation economic impact on the regions it serves. The proposed journey times, and the additional high speed connectivity we will achieve, have the potential to transform the way our City Region can do business.
However, it is also clear that some regions and cities will benefit sooner from earlier connections and others by having direct links. The risk that locations in the Midlands become effectively annexed to Greater London must be understood and avoided if the benefits are to close the North South divide and regenerate regional economies.
Ultimately, if Liverpool is to reap the same benefits, the City Region must continue to make the case for a direct link served by regular High Speed services. We will be seeking further consultation.”