Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram believe that a “Northern Arc” linked by a Liverpool-Manchester railway could drive growth across the region.
The mayors were speaking at MIPIM and said that a new railway connecting the regions was the “missing link” in plans to “boost jobs, deliver new homes and grow international trade.”
The rail line would run from the Mersey to the Pennines and create “an economic supercluster” specialising in life sciences, AI, advanced materials and manufacturing.
“Our city-regions have their own growth stories and opportunities, such as the Old Trafford regeneration project and Atom Valley in Greater Manchester. But our combined pipelines of investment opportunities – the Northern Arc – will create a powerful northern engine to fuel national growth, one greater than the sum of our parts. To achieve its full potential, we need a new Liverpool-Manchester railway – a crucial missing link that must be a priority for the UK’s infrastructure plan,” explained Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
“The sheer scale of untapped growth potential of the North means that, with the right government support, the size of the prize could match that of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. This is not about competing – we are already creating valuable partnerships with Cambridge – it’s about recognising that this approach to creating superclusters can deliver the same, if not greater economic clout in the North West than anywhere else in the country.”
They say that studies show the railway would add £7bn GVA to the UK economy, support delivery of around 300,000 new homes over 20 years and help create more than 40,000 high-quality jobs by 2050.
In addition a modern railway would “drastically improve” connectivity between the Port of Liverpool and Manchester Airport, to boost international trade.
“The Northern Arc represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the North West into a global powerhouse for world-leading businesses,” added Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region.
“In the Liverpool City Region, we’re already primed to lead the way in high-growth industries such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technologies. And with investments like the £550m Health Innovation Liverpool Campus and the expanding Sci-Tech Daresbury, we’re creating opportunities for businesses to thrive and innovation to flourish.
“The Northern Arc is about connecting these hubs with Greater Manchester and beyond. The Liverpool to Manchester railway presents us with a fantastic opportunity to do this. With Government backing, this strategic move will unlock new jobs, drive economic growth, and secure the North’s place at the forefront of the UK’s future prosperity.”
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A new board and partnership board – chaired by former Rail Minister Huw Merriman – has been set up to support the development and delivery of the project. Merriman said:
“The world’s first inter-city railway was built between Liverpool and Manchester by the region’s industrial pioneers. Almost 200 years on, the Mayors and council leaders have set up the Partnership Board which, like last time, aims not just to deliver a new railway for people and freight but a backbone of new economic and social opportunities.
“Our objective is clear; to deliver a new railway which delivers faster, more reliable and decarbonised journeys on a new corridor for jobs, homes, green energy production, skills and regeneration. If we deliver this then we can help further transform the region and, with it, the balance of the UK economy.”
The Oxford Cambridge arc was a government-led plan to build transport links and housing between the 2 cities. Inspired by the science cluster of Boston and San Francisco, the plan includes an East West Rail project, which would revive the “Varsity” railway, which was closed in 1967.
Meanwhile in Yorkshire, the county’s 3 Metro mayors signed the White Rose Agreement at Selby Abbey. This will also look at improving rail connectivity to drive growth.
This focus will be on putting the county at the forefront of the “green industrial revolution” and also champion Yorkshire as a county for international investment and attracting high profile cultural and sporting events.
“Yorkshire is a place that’s beloved by the people in it, and as a globally recognised brand. We want to share the unique strengths we each bring to the table, to ensure that we’re championing the region as a great place to live, work, visit and invest,” said Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith.
“Working together, we want every town, every rural hamlet, every coastal community, as well as our big cities, to feel the benefits of our collective ambition to deliver more for the people that we serve.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, and Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith also announced that Lord David Blunkett would review rail connectivity in the county.
“Decent transport connections are key to economic growth and a society where opportunities are spread across the country,” said Lord Blunkett.
“Today’s White Rose Agreement is a historic day for Yorkshire and a foundation on which we can build.
“I’m very pleased to work with Yorkshire’s Mayors on this by leading a review on improving rail connections and services for the north.”
