Prioritise Leeds to Manchester link, says think tank

A NEW report singles out improved rail links between Leeds and Manchester as the critical first step to turning the “Northern Powerhouse” political rhetoric into reality.

Fast Track to Growth – Transport Priorities for Stronger Cities, published by the Centre for Cities think tank and supported by the Department for Transport, argues that connecting the two biggest and most successful Northern cities first would create an economy of significant scale in the North.

This would complement and strengthen current planned investment in the network, such as HS2, and ensure its benefits can be maximised in the long-term, said the report.
 
It shows how linking cities with faster, more frequent transport systems enables businesses to collaborate and share knowledge, networks and services. And for workers, these connections provide access to a considerably larger pool of job opportunities, and much greater flexibility in where they can choose to live and work.
 
Centre for Cities chief executive Alexandra Jones said: “The Manchester to Leeds route currently takes almost twice as long to travel as the longer distance between London and Milton Keynes. The capital’s rail connections to neighbouring cities have played an important part in building strong and successful economies across the South East, and the evidence strongly suggests that Manchester and Leeds would benefit enormously from quicker and more frequent connections.

“This is a critically important, well-overdue upgrade that should be the first stage of delivering on the Government’s ambition to build a Northern powerhouse.”

Between 8am and 9am, the 43-mile journey between Manchester Piccadilly and Leeds takes 49 minutes, whereas, the 50 mile journey between London Euston and Milton Keynes takes only 30 minutes.