Government backs HS3 for northern England

The endorsement from prime minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne follows the publication of a report by Sir David Higgins, chairman of High Speed Two (HS2), which sees reduced journey times between Leeds and Manchester as one step in an overall strategy toward improving links between Liverpool and Hull.

Sir David’s report also said that journeys between Leeds and Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield Meadowhall, York and Birmingham, and Nottingham to Birmingham could also be reduced by a half or more, with many more journeys across the country substantially shortened. The report recommends that co-operation on transport issues should be formalised in the north too.

‘Improving connectivity is vital if Britain is to compete in the knowledge economy in which this country has a competitive advantage, but in which ease of travel is an essential element,’ he said in a statement. ‘Knowledge based companies - whether they are in high-tech manufacturing, the creative industries, finance or the law - have to be close, or feel close to the talent, skills base, support network, knowledge pools, collaborators and clients necessary to create the ‘hot-house atmosphere’ in which they thrive.  That is why reducing the journey times between and within our cities isn’t just desirable for both passengers and freight.  It is a strategic necessity.’