Professor of Transport and Logistics Colin Bamford on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s call to create a northern powerhouse in the region’s towns and cities with a new HS3 high speed rail link between Leeds and Manchester at the heart of the project.
HS3 – at the heart of a ‘Northern Powerhouse’?
“I wholeheartedly support HS2. The potential wider economic impact effects, as set out in the cost-benefit analysis, are considerable and should offset the considerable pull of London and the South East. It was very clear though, from an event held at the University last November, that not everyone would agree. The current under-investment in the North and the pressing need for better connectivity were points that were consistently raised in what proved to be a heated debate.
I must say that I, like many others, was taken aback by the bold announcement by the Chancellor, George Osborne, for huge new investment in the region’s roads and motorways and, extremely surprised to learn of his proposal for a new HS3 high-speed rail link between Leeds and Manchester. Running through Huddersfield, and using the existing rail route, what a boost it would give to the town and indeed the University.
Unlike HS2, where planners have been working on the project for years to be fair, HS3 is no more than a proposal. It might be more than a pipe dream once the theory is costed out and residents of Slaithwaite and Marsden begin to consider its impact on the Colne Valley. But what an exciting proposal to breathe new life into our regional economy!
In some ways, the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ is a reincarnation of the age old yet difficult to prove concept that new transport investment gives a boost to the economy, in this case West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. One could argue that such a boost is long overdue, given how much has been spent on Crossrail and other projects in the South East.
It seems that HS3 will link in with the ‘Northern Hub’ scheme that aims to electrify rail routes, including Leeds to Manchester via Huddersfield, and speed up many journeys across the North. If so, let’s get on with it.
On a more mundane level, in the short term and prior to HS3, the more immediate need is for longer trains on the trans-Pennine line to counteract severe over-crowding. Given how long this is taking, it makes one wonder about the likely timescale envisaged for HS3. On an even more mundane level, is this a cunning political trick to secure a few more votes by the next leader of the Conservative Party?”
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