Manchester HS2 plans set out in Parliament
Protesters gathered in Piccadilly Gardens to oppose the plans
Last updated 24th Jan 2022
The government is set to propose plans for the next section of a high speed rail line to Manchester
MPs will see the bill which lays out Phase 2b of the scheme connecting the line from London to Manchester via Crewe.
It's claimed the line will provide 17,500 jobs and double passenger capacity from Manchester to London.
Damian Waters, Regional Director of the Confederation of Small Businesses in the North West said:
“Better transport links are crucial to growing the economy and we welcome the first step in bringing high-speed rail to Manchester.
"HS2 is already having a positive effect on investment in other parts of the country before a single train has started running and business in the North West will see this as a vote of confidence in the region’s future.”
The government also predicts that the line could cut journey times from London to Manchester by 55 minutes.
Mark Thurston, CEO at HS2 Ltd said: “HS2 has an integral role to play in levelling up and rebalancing Britain’s economy, and this extension of the network fuels that role by bringing the country’s economic centres in the North and Midlands closer together.
“Construction of the first phase of HS2 is already supporting over 20,000 jobs and spearheading investment and growth in major population centres along the route. This Bill is a vote of confidence in HS2’s ability to help towns and cities in the North realise their economic potential.”
However, the line has been the subject of controversy for many years promoting protests by different groups
Campaigners have gathered in Piccadilly Gardens to march against the construction of the new high-speed rail line.
Some environmental campaign groups argue that money being spent on the scheme would best be spent elsewhere, as well as claiming the scheme isn't beneficial for the environment.
Penny Gaines, chair of Stop HS2 said, “This latest announcement is full of the same nonsensical spin we’ve heard from the government all along.
“Claims about biodiversity on Phase 2 in the future should be seen in the light of the devastation along the Phase 1 route, where ancient woodland has been ripped out by HS2 Ltd.
“Most of the carbon costs from HS2 will be occurred by building it. HS2 Ltd’s own documents show that it will not be carbon neutral for 120 years after opening.
“HS2 is a hugely expensive, environmentally damaging white elephant and should be scrapped immediately.”