The billion pound plan to fix railways in the North
The mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool are due to meet the Government today to push for a 'Northern Arc'
The mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool are due to as the Government for billions of pounds to improve railways in the North.
Andy Burham and Steve Rotherham will travel to meet top treasury ministers on Tuesday (April 29), to call for a "game-changing" new railway line.
The proposed 'Northern Arc' would connect Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, to "close the North-South divide".
The first phase of the Northern Arc would cover the North West, helping bride economies on Merseyside with those in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
It would eventually be extended across the Pennines to West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hull.
Mr. Burnham said: “The Northern Arc is the most exciting growth opportunity on offer – and one that can give a massive boost to the national economy.
“Greater Manchester has been the UK’s economic success story over the past decade, as part of a resurgent North pioneering English devolution. But the outdated infrastructure linking our great cities risks limiting our potential and widening the productivity gap with London and the South East.
“The Government has given its backing to the Oxford-Cambridge Arc to boost economic output in the South. We can say with confidence that the Northern Arc is our answer to reaping the rewards of growth here – and offers an even bigger prize for UK plc.”
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham said: "“The Northern Arc is about connecting these hubs with Greater Manchester and beyond.
"The Liverpool to Manchester railway presents us with a fantastic opportunity to do this.
"With Government backing, this strategic move will unlock new jobs, drive economic growth, and secure the North’s place at the forefront of the UK’s future prosperity.”