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Local leaders say wrong HS2 solution for Manchester could ‘damage’ the north
"Failing to invest in central Manchester’s rail links has led to rail chaos across the north time and again."
Leaders in Greater Manchester are calling for “an urgent rethink” of the government’s plans to bring HS2 to Manchester.
They are warning that the wrong solution could “damage the north for generations”.
Following an address to the public given by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig yesterday, local authorities are set submit formal petitions to the government that raise the key changes they believe are vital for HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) to be a success for the north.
Leaders say they are “determined to get the best” from the high-speed network for future generations, and have called for several changes – including an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly, rather than the government’s proposed overground solution.
They say this is because Manchester Piccadilly is central to both HS2 and NPR, and as modelling suggests that an overground station would be at full capacity from day one, with no option to accommodate extra services.
This “second-class option” would effectively hamper the future of rail infrastructure for the whole of the north for generations to come, according to leaders.
And given that the wrong solution at Manchester Piccadilly could rule out the right rail solution for the whole of the north of England, Mr Burnham has subsequently called for the “precise issue of the station’s design” to be brought to a vote of all MPs on the floor of the House of Commons.
“We cannot continue to repeat the mistakes of the past,” Andy Burnham said.
“Failing to invest in central Manchester’s rail links has led to rail chaos across the north time and again, [so] this is a huge moment and the decisions that are made now will affect the prospects for people here in the North for hundreds of years to come.
Read more: ‘Hugely disappointing’ move as £3bn HS2 line through North West is quietly scrapped
“If we get the wrong solution at Manchester Piccadilly, it will limit economic growth, limit opportunities for local people and businesses, and limit the right rail solution for the whole of the north.”
Also speaking on ahead of the submitting of the proposals, Councillor Bev Craig added: “Connecting Greater Manchester into the future high speed rail network has been a priority of the city-region for many years.
“We have consistently been in favour of bringing HS2 and NPR in full to our city-region, with the benefits it can bring to support regeneration, growth and increase capacity on our already clogged network.
“But we need to ensure that this is delivered in the best way to benefit all our communities.”
Featured Image – HS2
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Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
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Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.
You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.
Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)
