Boris promises to deliver high speed Manchester-Leeds rail link

Boris Johnson has pledged a high-speed rail link between Manchester and Leeds, and reiterated the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.

Speaking at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this morning, (July 27) he praised Manchester as the world’s first industrial city and for its vision.

Standing in the shadow of George Stephenson’s Rocket and making his first speech as Prime Minister outside London, he said the new route would “turbo-charge the economy”, saying the benefits would be “colossal”.

A new high speed link could cut journey times from an average of around an hour to just under 30 minutes, as well as providing extra capacity for the region.

Sporting a Northern Powerhouse badge during the speech, he told an audience of around 100: “I want to be the PM who does with Northern Powerhouse Rail what we did with Crossrail in London.

“And today I am going to deliver on my commitment to that vision with a pledge to fund the Leeds to Manchester route.”

In his speech he praised the impact that Metro Mayors have had on their cities and said they would be closely involved in the scheme.

“It will be up to local people and us to come to an agreement on the exact proposal they want, but I have tasked officials to accelerate their work on these plans so that we are ready to do a deal in the Autumn.”

He added: “We are going to give greater powers to council leaders and communities.

“We are going to level up the powers offered to mayors so more people can benefit from the kind of local structures seen in London and here in Manchester.”

And, addressing Greater Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham in the audience, Mr Johnson also pledged to revamp local bus services, saying he wanted more exclusive bus corridors, higher frequency services and low and zero emissions buses.

Henry Murison, Northern Powerhouse Partnership director, said: “This is a seminal moment for the North.

“It is heartening to see the first major policy announcement by the new Prime Minister is to benefit the North – matching the commitment of businesses already investing here.”

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: “Northern Powerhouse Rail is key to our vision for a modern, reliable transport network that delivers faster journey times, additional capacity and greater reliability and I hope the Government will now work with us to accelerate delivery of this project.”

National Infrastructure Commission chairman Sir John Armitt said: “Travellers in the North have been crying out for a serious upgrade to their intercity rail network – as the Commission first recommended in 2016.

“Poor infrastructure inhibits growth. Investment to improve capacity, reliability and reduce travel times can play a valuable role in helping drive prosperity across the North.

“The PM’s decision today must be integrated with plans for HS2, and matched with devolved funding and powers for city leaders in the North – as set out in our National Infrastructure Assessment.”

It’s great to see @BorisJohnson commit his government to build the new highspeed line linking the likes of Leeds and Manchester that I proposed in 2014. After 3 disappointing years, it looks like the national government is again committed to building the Northern Powerhouse.

— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) July 27, 2019

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, which also owns London Stansted and East Midlands airport, said: “The Prime Minster’s commitment to build a new rail line between Manchester and Leeds is an important and welcome step towards the creation of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“As well as improving connectivity across the North, the full Northern Powerhouse Rail route, when completed, will make it easier and quicker for people to get to Manchester Airport – the North’s global gateway – which will strengthen global connectivity and international trade links from the North.”

Former Chancellor, George Osborne, who was the architect of the Northern Powerhouse, tweeted his praise for Mr Johnson’s promises, saying: “After three disappointing years, it looks like the national government is again committed to building the Northern Powerhouse.”