With Merseytravel calling for the HS2 plans to include links to other cities, it seems everyone wants a piece of the track.
Merseytravel claims that the 28 extra minutes it will take to travel between Liverpool and London (compared to Manchester) will severely disadvantage the city in terms of business investment.
While this seems like a lot of money, work and upheaval of plans just to stay even with Manchester, they may have a point. Businesses will swarm to the cities linked by this network, and it will undoubtedly be a boost to Manchester’s economy.
Yet the UK-wide network that Merseytravel suggests is a little inconceivable. If the link was extended to Liverpool, too many other cities would demand to be included as well. This project is already going to cost billions and take a long time to implement; additional networks could mean a finished result that none of us live to see.
HS2 will be placed on the most obvious route to benefits as much of the country as possible, rather than more isolated cities. While those on the outside have every right to try their luck, they must consider that practical limitations mean that changes in these plans are unlikely.
