Mayors reveal plan for Manchester-Birmingham line

Published On Sep 13, 2024, 1:43 AM

The mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have unveiled plans for a new railway line connecting their regions, called the Midlands-Northwest Rail Link. This line is seen as crucial for alleviating congestion on the current West Coast Main Line (WCML) and improving transport reliability. The proposal, led by infrastructure expert Sir David Higgins, claims it will be much more economical than the abandoned northern leg of HS2, costing 60-75% less. The project depends on private investment and is viewed as necessary for economic growth and freight capacity improvements. The current WCML infrastructure is inadequate for future demands, and government support is sought for this initiative.