Richard Threlfall argues that HS3 could put the north on a more even keel with the south.
Earlier this week the chancellor, George Osborne, outlined the proposal for HS3, a high-speed rail link between Manchester and Leeds that could help to create a “northern global powerhouse”. The chancellor said the plan could cost up to £7bn and would cut travel times between the two cities from 50 minutes to half an hour. The project would be based on the existing rail line and journey times would be speeded up by building new tunnels and infrastructure.
HS3 has the potential to spread economic wealth across the country. Over the last 10 years, according to ONS data, the north’s share of the UK’s economic output has fallen by more than 5%. This trend will continue unless we strive to share our country’s economic success beyond the south east. HS3 recognises the dismal state of links between the UK’s northern cities today. It takes about the same time to reach Liverpool from Leeds as it does to get to London from Leeds, even though it is less than half the distance.
For too long have billions of pounds more been invested in the south than the north – throwing money at our strongest region and abandoning our weakest. The UK currently invests as much in infrastructure in London in two days as it invests in Manchester in a year. HS3 should finally turn the tide and help the north regain its historic prominence in the UK economy.
Under current plans the HS2 project will provide 225mph trains from London to Birmingham in its first stage, before creating a Y-shaped network with lines to Manchester and Leeds by 2032/33. HS3 is the missing link to create a true high speed rail network in the UK. It should run between our major port cities of Liverpool and Hull, and connect up Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and York, then up to Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The distance between Manchester and Leeds is no longer than the Central Line in London – there is no reason why our northern cities should not operate as one economic powerhouse provided they are properly connected. HS3 has the potential to be compared to bold and visionary schemes such as the M25 and the Channel Tunnel. It recognises that a massive intervention by government is needed to reverse the drain of the UK’s economy from the north to the south.
Richard Threlfall is a partner and UK head of infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG
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