HS2 stations confirmed for Greater Manchester

The HS2 line will include stops at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, securing increased freight capacity for the region, along with improved connectivity and journey times across the UK. 

Today’s announcement also confirmed HS2 Growth strategy funding for both Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport to help support the development of the key stations in Greater Manchester. 

High Speed Rail, in combination with Northern Powerhouse Rail, is considered vital for increased capacity on Britain’s rail network, and will ensure transformational connectivity between the North’s city regions. 

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) estimates that reducing travel times and increased business productivity through improved connectivity, will bring up to 180,000 new jobs to the region by 2040 and add £1.3billion to Greater Manchester’s GVA. 

Welcoming its potential, Greater Manchester is already preparing growth strategies for Piccadilly and the Airport to maximise the opportunities and impact that High Speed Rail will bring the city region, including a commitment to major infrastructure improvements at Manchester Piccadilly and Airport stations. 

The growth strategies for Piccadilly will build on the strategy regeneration framework already develop. The frame work envisages that Manchester Piccadilly will be transformed to provide a world-class, fully integrated transport interchange for Greater Manchester that will, along with development through Northern Powerhouse Rail, greatly improve transport links across the North that will bring significant economic benefits. 

The development of Manchester Piccadilly could also support around 4,500 new homes and over 700,000spm of commercial and retail space. Adjacent to the site, the Mayfield regeneration project will bring a major mixed-used development that will seek to create 6,500 new jobs and 1,330 new homes – and is expected to start on site next year. 

An integrated HS2 station at Manchester Airport would improve the airport’s accessibility and capitalise on the opportunity of the investment programme at Terminal 2. It would also increase the airport’s importance as an international gateway and deepen the economic impacts of the Airport City Enterprise Zone, which is set to attract global businesses and is currently estimated to provide 35,000 jobs 

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and GMCA Lead for Economic Strategy, said: “Today’s announcement is welcome confirmation that Greater Manchester will play a key role in HS2, and become a hub for rail improvements that will help support a sound economic future for the whole of the north through Northern Powerhouse Rail. 

“This should be seen as a reinforcement in the confidence of the region’s economic potential and these infrastructure improvements are the tools we need reach unlock that latent energy. 

“We’ll continue to work closely with government to help support the project and begin to drive the major transformational projects that will support HS2 in Greater Manchester.” 

Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd said; “The confirmation of HS2’s route to Greater Manchester is a major milestone and will be welcomed by people across our region.  It is now vital that HS2 becomes a reality as soon as possible.  

“This announcement shows the Government has heard the voices from the North that demanded this project go ahead without delay.  

“Our plans for growth linked to HS2 can now start to become a reality, delivering real benefits for the people of Greater Manchester.  

“I hope today’s announcement will be followed shortly by progress on Northern Powerhouse Rail which will connect the cities of the North.  If the Government is serious about rebalancing our economy this infrastructure investment in the North is critical.”