Committing to Midlands to Manchester link will deliver needed growth beyond London | New Civil Engineer

The North of England has long struggled to pull its weight in terms of productivity, blighted for generations by a lack of investment and creaking, unreliable infrastructure. The poor connectivity between the core cities of the North, and with the Midlands, has resulted in a lack of opportunities for young people to secure skilled jobs outside the capital, perpetuating the North-South divide and creating an overheated, unbalanced economy.

Spearheaded by our regional mayors, and backed by major UK and global businesses such as ours, the North and the Midlands have produced a solution. A blueprint to deliver up to £70bn a year in economic growth, boosting both those regional economies and the national purse. A strategic investment to link up major urban areas, as well as international connectivity. A new line, running alongside the full to the brim West Coast Mainline, that can provide much-needed capacity, reliability and efficiency.

Our proposal for a strategic connection from the Midlands to the North has been backed by both the Mayors of the West Midlands and Greater Manchester and by a wide range of experts from the private sector. It is well thought through, evidence-based, realistic and practical.

It was therefore hugely pleasing to hear indications from government to commit not only to delivering HS2 to Euston but also positive noises about a new line between the Midlands and the North – the vital infrastructure the regions are crying out for.  This is alongside government’s wider plans to upgrade British railways through further support for Network Rail, the creation of Great British Railways and a specific focus on the needs of passengers.

Better connecting the Midlands and the North by rail can not only create economic opportunities, but can also meet the government’s stated objective of ensuring fiscal responsibility. Our work has demonstrated that 85% of the benefits of connecting HS2 through the West Midlands to the North can be achieved at just 60-75% of the cost. It can deliver real, meaningful value – supporting high-growth sectors, increasing productivity, and creating the high-skilled jobs of the future where they are most needed.

Attracting investment is another benefit. Building a new rail line between the Midlands and the North could secure significant private investment, as has proved the case in European countries such as France and Spain. Encouraging private funding can allow the project to be delivered without high levels of borrowing – a compelling way of funding major infrastructure.

We have specifically and deliberately designed the new line to be delivered in manageable sections – an incremental approach built in two main stages. The Staffordshire Connector, making use of existing land and parliamentary powers from the HS2 Phase 2a route to reduce costs and expedite delivery, would run between Fradley near Lichfield and Crewe. Taking this further North, the Cheshire Connector would take the line to meet a potential future east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail corridor at High Legh, southwest of Manchester Airport.

This piece of work has not been undertaken lightly – it has brought together the mayors, major businesses and the expertise and experience of former HS2 chair Sir David Higgins. This coalition demonstrates the understanding of the importance of infrastructure, and how seriously we consider the decision to cancel the Northern legs of HS2 will impact the UK.

This government has said it believes it growth, and believes in opportunity. Connecting the Midlands and the North, and kickstarting an infrastructure project that will form a key part of reshaping the UK economy, should be at the heart of these ambitions.

• Alan Brookes is CEO at Arcadis

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