Support for the Northern Hub plans could help the case for the construction of the Ordsall Chord, as well as further electrification between Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire.

However, the consultation’s figures may be slightly misleading. Asking passengers if these works would make you more likely to use the train, most will inevitably agree. Adding services and improvements are only unlikely to be dismissed when there is no comparison.

Additionally, people within the area that the Northern Hub would benefit are the most likely to support these plans. Asking a wider geographical range of the population of their opinion on the plans could determine whether it is a project with wider benefits.

It is understandable that the consultation is focused on the people living in the area this will affect; people support whatever will benefit them directly, and as soon as possible.

But perhaps a selection of alternative choices would have determined whether this is the right improvement to be implemented in the north. Perhaps there are other viable plans that could compete for popularity.