“Doing nothing is not an option” – Report into Midlands North West rail link released

A new report has outlined a plan to create a high-speed rail link between the Midlands and the North of England, aiming to address the region's growing capacity constraints. The Midlands-North Rail West Rail Link is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between major cities and towns, boosting both passenger and freight transport.

Echoing the findings of the recent Juergen Maier review, the report emphasises the urgent need for a new rail line to alleviate pressure on the overburdened M6 corridor as well as addressing the capacity concerns of the West Coast Main Line. It warns that without action, the M6 could collapse within a decade, hindering economic growth and operations.

The review team assessed various options, including doing nothing, minimal upgrades, and a new rail link. The report concluded that a new line offers the most substantial benefits at a fraction of the cost compared to the original HS2 scheme. The group argue that by adopting lower design speeds, ballasted track, and simplified interfaces, the new line could deliver approximately 85% of the benefits of HS2 Phase 2 while saving billions of pounds.

The review also found that a new line is the only viable option for attracting private finance and could save the taxpayer significant costs, thought to be up to £2 billion through the reuse of existing assets.

The group is now urging the government to set up a steering group to deliver a full feasibility study and technical analysis of the proposals and develop a detailed investment prospectus for the private sector.

The exact route is not specified fully in the report; however, it is expected to start at Handsacre Junction in Staffordshire and run between the two branches of the West Coast Main Line before joining it just south of Crewe. The line is then expected to split again just north of Crewe towards High Legh in North Cheshire and joining the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail link west of Manchester Airport.

The report has received strong support from local leaders, including Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. They emphasised the importance of this project in addressing the region's connectivity challenges and driving economic growth.

Mayor Burnham said: “The report is clear: if we fail to put in place a plan soon to fix rail capacity and connectivity between the North and the Midlands, the already-congested West Coast Main Line and M6 will become major barriers to economic growth in the UK.

"But there is good news for the Government. The report concludes that we do not have to revive HS2 to unlock those benefits. There is a viable option to build a new rail line between Lichfield and High Legh, connecting HS2 to Northern Powerhouse Rail, with almost all the benefits of HS2 delivered quickly and crucially at a significantly lower cost.

Sir David Higgins, chair of the review, called for immediate action from the government to make the new rail link a reality. He stressed that the project offers a cost-effective and efficient solution to the region's transportation needs, and that delaying decisions would have long-term consequences for the nation's economic and social health.