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HS3: Manchester to Leeds in half an hour as rail plan is ready to depart


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   Train journey times between the north of England’s biggest cities would
   be halved under plans published on Monday for new high-speed rail
   services across the Pennines.

   The scheme, promoted by the head of the £50bn HS2 project, would slash
   the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a
   maximum of 34 minutes.
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   The proposals have been drawn up by Sir David Higgins, the chairman of
   HS2 Ltd, the company behind the controversial scheme to build a
   high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham with further spurs
   to Manchester and Leeds.

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Created with Sketch. For and Against HS2

   Show all 5
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Created with Sketch. For and Against HS2

1/5 Against: Ed Balls

   Ed Balls has questioned whether HS2 is ‘the best way to spend £50bn’.
   Peter Mandelson expressed fear that the project could be an ‘expensive
   mistake'
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   The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter, director of England, explains:
   ‘Currently, people and nature stand to lose if HS2 goes ahead, which is
   why our opposition to the proposed route for HS2 remains'. But, if it
   is to be built, The Wildlife Trusts propose a new, greener plan for the
   HS2 to create ‘around 15,000 hectares of new, interlinked wild places
   established along the entire length of the route, which people can
   walk, cycle through and enjoy'.
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   Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, says: ‘We have to
   build HS2. Doing nothing is not an option’

5/5 For: Pete Waterman

   Pete Waterman, Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, says: ‘HS2 will be
   built by young people, building their future’
   Getty
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1/5 Against: Ed Balls

   Ed Balls has questioned whether HS2 is ‘the best way to spend £50bn’.
   Peter Mandelson expressed fear that the project could be an ‘expensive
   mistake'
--

   The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter, director of England, explains:
   ‘Currently, people and nature stand to lose if HS2 goes ahead, which is
   why our opposition to the proposed route for HS2 remains'. But, if it
   is to be built, The Wildlife Trusts propose a new, greener plan for the
   HS2 to create ‘around 15,000 hectares of new, interlinked wild places
   established along the entire length of the route, which people can
   walk, cycle through and enjoy'.
--

   Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, says: ‘We have to
   build HS2. Doing nothing is not an option’

5/5 For: Pete Waterman

   Pete Waterman, Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, says: ‘HS2 will be
   built by young people, building their future’
   Getty
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   of England as Crossrail is for London'

   He also urges a further stage, dubbed HS3, to improve services between
   east and west in northern England. The line, which would cost more than
   £5bn from a proposed £15bn fund for transport improvements in the
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   Sir David also calls in the report for the go-ahead to be given to both
   legs of the proposed HS2 network.

   David Cameron said: “Improving connectivity and reducing journey times
   between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term
   economic plan for the North to boost businesses and create more jobs
   and security for hard-working people. That’s why we are backing HS3.

   “I welcome Sir David Higgins’ report which will help our work to create
   a northern powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic
   benefits.”

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   The shadow Transport Secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “Labour supports
   high-speed rail to improve the connections between cities in the North
   and Midlands and London.”

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 Created with Sketch. HS3: Manchester to Leeds in half an hour as rail plan is
                                    ready to