Government’s support for developing high speed rail links across the north of England was confirmed earlier today when Chancellor George Osborne committed funding to HS3 as part of his Budget.

 

This comes after the scheme received backing from the Lord Adonis-led National Infrastructure Commission’s ‘High Speed North’ report, published this week.

 

The Chancellor has pledged £60M to develop detailed plans for a high speed rail link that would reduce journey times between Manchester and Leeds to around 30 minutes. A full blueprint is due to be drawn up by next year.

 

Investment in HS3 forms part of a £300M package of funding for transport in the ‘Northern Powerhouse’. Mr Osborne also announced £75M of funding to explore options for a trans-Pennine road tunnel between Sheffield and Manchester, as well as £161M to accelerate upgrades to the M62.

 

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The National Infrastructure Commission has rightly identified these projects as transformational schemes that have the potential to further strengthen our economy. This is a major step forward for the Northern Powerhouse.”

 

Think tank IPPR North’s director Ed Cox welcomed the High Speed North report as well as the Treasury’s announcement of further funding to develop plans for HS3 and a trans-Pennine tunnel.

 

But he added: “It is important to remember though that project development work is no substitute for spades in the ground and only raises expectations about the Government’s ambitions for the North.

 

“In due course, Government will be expected to invest significant amounts of public money to finally get the construction of these projects off the ground.”

 

In London the Chancellor today said he would provide £80M to further develop plans for Crossrail 2. The Government is asking Transport for London to match this contribution, and aims to introduce a Crossrail 2 Bill in this Parliament.

 

WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff operations director for rail Tony Kearns said: “The Chancellor’s backing of HS3 and Crossrail 2 is fantastic news. This commitment gives the engineering sector the confidence to recruit in preparation and develop the skills the industry needs to deliver these ambitious schemes.”

 

AECOM director and head of government & public John Hicks welcomed commitments to HS3 and Crossrail 2, but said: “The risk is that this will be tantamount to rhetoric unless the pace of delivery is accelerated. The ongoing silence around delivery is becoming deafening.”
 

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Stephen Joseph said: “The commitment to invest in new rail projects is good news, especially for the North of England where rail networks have been starved of investment for decades.

 

“However, it's a shame the Chancellor is still supporting the damaging trans-Pennine road tunnel proposal. This scheme would just increase pollution and road congestion in the cities and damage the Peak District.”

 

He added: “The money would be much better spent on improving local transport like supported bus services and road repairs to complement the welcome investments being put into rail infrastructure.”

 

The Budget also includes provision of a £50M Pothole Action Fund for England in 2016-17, which will enable local authorities to fill nearly a million potholes.

 

Chancellor George Osborne said: “Now is the time us to make the bold decisions and the big investments that will help us to lead the world in infrastructure, and create jobs, push up living standards and boost our productivity for the next generation.”

 

Responding to today’s announcements, CIHT director of policy & technical affairs Andrew Hugill said: “Transport infrastructure again takes a leading role in the Budget. This is hugely welcome. The National Infrastructure Commission is reacting quickly and giving certainty to enable decisions to be taken, this is good for the sector, and will help move schemes forward.

 

“The Chancellor’s announcement demonstrates just how crucial transport infrastructure is to achieving the aims of the Northern Powerhouse.

 

“However, the absence of a national transport strategy may end up with unintended consequences. There is also a financial focus on capital, with revenue funding continuing to be squeezed, this issue is particularly acute for local authorities and the local highway network will continue to suffer as a result.”

 

(Photo: See Li and licensed for reuse under this Creative Common Licence)