27/10/2014

PM Approves HS3 Rail Link

The Prime Minister has approved the development of the HS3 rail link.

The link is part of a plan to improve transport in the north.

As part of the government's long-term economic plan for the north, David Cameron gave his backing to develop HS3 which will connect the north's great cities which could significantly reduce journey times across the region.

Mr Cameron was responding to a report published by HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins, which sets out proposals for how to maximise the benefits of HS2 in the north and how transport links can be improved in the north of England more widely.

In the report, Sir David identifies the vital importance of improving east west connectivity across the north and considers the central role a high speed rail link could play. He concludes that with a high speed link the journey time between Leeds and Manchester could be cut from around 55 minutes to between 26 and 34 minutes.

Mr Cameron said: "Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long term economic plan for the north to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hardworking people. That's why we are backing HS3.

"I welcome Sir David Higgins' report which will help our work to create a northern powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic benefits."

(CD/JP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2015
Armed Standoff Ends In Arrest
An armed standoff in the village of Cynwyd, North Wales, has ended with the arrest of a man. North West Police called armed officers and negotiators to the village at 21:45 on Wednesday after a man aged in his 20s had barricaded himself in a house and threatened police with a firearm.
26 June 2015
Investigation Launched After 12-Year-Old Stabbed Eight Times
An investigation has been launched into a gang-related attack on a 12-year-old boy in Hoxton, north London. The boy suffered 8 stab wounds in the incident, which occurred at about 22:15 on Tuesday night.
16 September 2003
New Channel Tunnel rail link opened
The Prime Minister has opened the first section of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link at London's Waterloo Station today. The new section will allow trains to run at up to 186 miles per hour, reducing journey times from London to Paris to nearly two and a half hours.
04 April 2006
Family murderer sentenced to life
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend and her six-year-old daughter. Mark Nicholas, 30, had pleaded guilty to stabbing 33-year-old Nicole Batten to death and suffocating her daughter, Ukleigha Batten-Froggatt.
23 January 2004
Heavy snowfalls may affect north and north east
Much of the UK, and possibly parts of Ireland, are braced for a cold snap that may bring heavy snowfalls. From Sunday night the UK will see a radical change in the mild weather as a strong northerly wind lowers temperatures. The Met Office has said that the freezing weather is expected to last for several days.