'Build it once and built it right' plea to government over HS2 rail station in Manchester

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has added his voice to mounting calls on the government to fund and build the right HS2 rail station at Manchester Piccadilly - underground rather than above ground. He's signed a letter to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, together with Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, in which they say collectively: "Build it once and build it right."

The leader of Manchester city council, Bev Craig, and Camden council leader Georgia Gould have also added their signatures ahead of the start of crucial hearings of the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill Select Committee later this month.

They argue the 'right solution' for Manchester Piccadilly must be an underground station that supports Northern Powerhouse Rail 'in full', saying what's important for Manchester is equally as important for the North and the rest of the UK, including the capital.

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Crucially, they also say the current HS2 plans for both Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston 'could permanently damage Britain's economic ambitions'. "We therefore want to work with Government to make sure it is built once and built right," they say.

The voice of the London mayor in the growing campaign represents another major boost after the Manchester Evening News revealed London business leaders are backing Manchester's call for the right HS2 railway station at Piccadilly.

In a powerful show of support for the city region and the north, the influential London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said an underground through station at Piccadilly, instead of the proposed above ground station, was 'just what Britain needs to level up economic and financial opportunities'.

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