Liverpool – Manchester Railway Plan
Laying the tracks to growth: Liverpool-Manchester Railway plan could unlock £90bn economic boost
– New railway forecast to deliver £15bn economic uplift and support 22,000 jobs during construction, – which could begin in early 2030s
– Proposed Liverpool-Manchester line one of the key components of Northern Arc vision to generate £90bn in economic growth in the North West by 2040
– Developed by North West Mayors, civic and business leaders, with support from former Rail Minister Huw Merriman
– Proposes new, locally-led delivery model for faster, better infrastructure outcomes
– Growth zones planned at five key stations to unlock new homes, jobs and wider regeneration
A new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester could kickstart a £90bn economic transformation across the North West – and help reshape how major infrastructure is delivered in the UK.
Regional leaders are today setting out proposals for a new Liverpool-Manchester Railway that would deliver jobs, growth and regeneration across the North West, while offering a new, more effective model for building big projects: led locally, delivered faster, and designed around communities.
Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, alongside former Rail Minister Huw Merriman, civic and business leaders from across the North West, are urging the government to work in partnership on the plans. A firm commitment now, they argue, would allow construction to begin in the early 2030s – giving certainty to investors and helping retain the skilled workforce built up through the delivery of HS2.
A report published today outlines the case for the new line, which would run from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly, with stops at a new Liverpool Gateway station, Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport. It estimates that construction of the railway could deliver a £15bn boost to the economy and create 22,000 jobs.
But the impact goes far beyond the route itself and construction benefits. The railway would be one component of the Northern Arc – an emerging economic corridor stretching from the Mersey to the Pennines and beyond. Recent analysis by Metro Dynamics suggests that, as part the Arc, securing the growth trajectory of Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington and Liverpool City Region area could add £90bn in cumulative GVA to the UK economy by 2040 and double the size of the region’s economy in less than 30 years.
Despite being shorter than either the Elizabeth Line or East-West Rail, the proposed line would punch well above its weight – freeing up local rail capacity, slashing journey times and bringing more than half a million extra people within 30 minutes of Liverpool and Manchester city centres.
The report also outlines a fresh approach to infrastructure delivery – rooted in local knowledge, supported by private investment, and shaped by the latest technology. It draws lessons from past national schemes and proposes a locally-led model that avoids delays and delivers better value for money.
