Go underground, save jobs, cut congestion and keep Metrolink running: Councils’ urgent appeal to give Manchester the HS2 it deserves

Greater Manchester's leaders have submitted their formal petitions calling on the Government to build an HS2 that will truly work for the region and its passengers for the next 120 years. The High Speed Crewe-Manchester bill had its second reading in Parliament in June. It includes plans to build an above ground station with concrete viaducts, shut down a key Metrolink route for two years, blight job potential and kibosh many of the city’s aims for clean air and public transport.

But there is still hope for HS2 to fulfil its potential for the north. The bill paves the way for cities like Manchester to highlight concerns. Any issue which the council cannot reach agreement on with HS2 Ltd will be decided by a House of Commons Select Committee.

Leaders and experts here agree that the high speed rail line from London to Manchester, due for completion in 2040, is vital to unclog network capacity, improve connections between the North, West Midlands and London, and boost economic growth. However, Manchester council leader Bev Craig is joined by other leaders, and industry experts in her plea that the Government listen to their concerns on how best to build it to benefit Manchester and the north.

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The petition from Manchester Council will not be the only one; other authorities in Greater Manchester and Cheshire East will also state their cases.

Manchester Council's petition will include calls for:

Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester council, said: “HS2 is a once-in-a-century opportunity and we will keep fighting to ensure we get the best possible version of it for Manchester, the region and the