A report published today sets out proposals for a new rail link on the West Coast corridor to replace High Speed 2 Phase 2a which was cancelled in October last year. The report was commissioned the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities.
The report concludes that the best way forward is a new rail line, approximately 80km in length connecting Lichfield to High Legh on the route of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The new line is referred to as the Midlands-North West Rail Link (MNWRL).
The MNWRL consists of two segments – a Staffordshire Connector that runs south of Crewe, and a Cheshire Connector north of Crewe. This new line would connect with the end of the current HS2 network at Fradley and provide a direct connection into the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail at High Legh, thereby connecting directly into Liverpool, Manchester and beyond. The Staffordshire Connector would make use of land and powers already secured for HS2 Phase 2A, while the Cheshire Connector would require land north of Crewe being secured through the future consents for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Further details of the Opportunity through connectivity report can be found at Midlands-North West Rail Link (midlandsnorthwestraillink.co.uk)