Manchester and liverpool unite in historic call for high-speed rail link
In a remarkable show of unity, two of the North West’s most storied cities – Manchester and Liverpool – have set aside their age-old rivalry to speak with one voice. The Manchester Evening News and the Liverpool Echo have joined forces in an unprecedented campaign, urging the government to deliver a transformative new railway line between the cities.
Though separated by less than 40 miles, the journey between these two great metropolises is fraught with frustration. Decades of underinvestment have left the rail infrastructure struggling to meet the needs of modern commuters, businesses, and tourists. Trains are slow, unreliable, and overcrowded, with journey times that are disproportionate to the short distance.
Today, the editors of the M.E.N. and the Echo, alongside the mayors of greater manchester and the liverpool city region, are calling for decisive action. The plan they are championing involves a high-speed railway line that would cut travel times to just over 30 minutes, with express services running every 10 minutes.
A crucial aspect of the proposal includes the construction of an underground station at manchester Piccadilly, complementing a new transport interchange at manchester airport. This ambitious blueprint is designed not only to improve links between the two cities but also to open up capacity for hundreds of additional passenger and freight services across the wider North West region.
According to a new report, the so-called “missing link” has the potential to unlock a staggering £90 billion in economic growth, making it one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region’s history. The potential benefits extend far beyond the cities themselves, offering new opportunities to communities that have long been hamstrung by an outdated and inefficient transport network.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, speaking ahead of a crucial meeting with ministers in London, said: “We have made the case over many years for better rail connectivity across the North West. While we haven’t always had Whitehall with us, the M.E.N. and the Echo have never left our side. We think there’s no reason why the two cities that gave commuter railways to the world 200 years ago can’t do it again.”
His sentiments were echoed by liverpool city region mayor steve rotheram, who emphasised the human impact of unreliable infrastructure. “There’s hardly a person in the North who hasn’t felt the frustration of slow, unreliable journeys or missed out on opportunities because of creaking, outdated infrastructure. For them, this is far more than just building a new railway – it’s about opening the doors to opportunity.”
The editors of the manchester evening news, Sarah Lester, and the liverpool Echo, Maria Breslin, issued a joint statement reflecting the gravity of the situation and the importance of putting civic pride above historic rivalries.
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“Today, two great Northern cities and two historic northern brands are coming together to call on the government to fully finance a vital fast train route between Liverpool and Manchester – starting to correct years of unfair funding to transport infrastructure in the North West,” they said.
“It is absurd that manchester and liverpool are just 40 miles apart but a journey between the two is rarely straightforward. This plan has the potential to supercharge the economy of the North West and wider regions and link together two of the UK’s great cities.”
“It will bring potentially life-changing opportunities to those who live in manchester and Liverpool, creating jobs, and driving regeneration in the way the Elizabeth Line has done in London. It is unprecedented for the Echo and the M.E.N. to come together in this way but we feel the potential benefits to the region outweigh any traditional rivalries.”
As the campaign gathers momentum, it is clear that the voices of manchester and Liverpool are united in demanding the fair, fast, and future-proofed transport infrastructure their people deserve.
