New rail investment to transform travel and opportunities for High Peak residents

High Peak MP Jon Pearce is championing the Government's transformative investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail, calling it a game-changer for families in the High Peak.

The plans deliver a brand-new railway line between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington, with construction beginning in the 2030s. Making travel convenient, easier and speedier. 

Growing the North's biggest cities and their surrounding areas will add an additional £40bn to the country's GDP, proving that when the North succeeds, so does the whole of the UK. 

For families in High Peak, Manchester serves as the primary commuter destination as the constituency sits within Greater Manchester's commuter belt. This new infrastructure will transform daily commutes, while opening up rapid connections to Liverpool and, through the cross-Pennine improvements planned for the 2040s, to Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield. 

The announcement includes a third phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail in the 2040s, delivering enhanced cross-Pennine links between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield, building on the £11bn TransPennine Route Upgrade currently transforming the region. The TRU is already cutting journey times between Manchester and Liverpool from 48-52 minutes to around 42 minutes. 

The investment is driving local growth and regeneration with rapidly expanding health, life sciences, manufacturing and innovation clusters developing across the region. 

Jon Pearce, High Peak MP said: 

"For too long we have had governments that have failed to recognise the potential of the North and invest in the infrastructure we need. High Peak will directly benefit from Northern Powerhouse Rail with travel times cut and ‘turn up and go’ services; exactly how it should be and what our communities deserve. I'll also keep working for improvements to connectivity to Manchester and Sheffield for High Peak residents. 

Beyond a speedier service, I’m really looking forward to the benefits Northern Powerhouse Rail will have for children growing up in High Peak and those who look to build their families here. I've held two Careers, Skills and Jobs Fairs in High Peak with two more planned this year, bringing opportunity here. But whilst opportunity must come to us, we also need the means for our young people to grab opportunities elsewhere. 

"I know residents commute to our major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield and with that comes opportunity. Talent and potential are equally distributed across our country but opportunity is not, and that's exactly what this announcement addresses. Better connectivity means our young people can access apprenticeships, universities and careers across the North without feeling forced out of their communities. Not to mention the benefits the whole country will see, with £40bn expected from the development and growth of our northern cities and surrounding areas. 

“This announcement is for the whole country and will see our communities flourish because when the North succeeds, so does the whole of the UK." 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: 

“Finally, we have a government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre. A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond. 

“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK's fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth. Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.” 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: 

“This is a massive moment for Manchester. We have campaigned long and hard for much-needed investment in rail in the city and across the North - better linking the great cities and towns of the North – to create and support jobs, regeneration and other opportunities for our people. The previous Government failed us. But today’s announcement is a serious commitment to that vision after years of frustration. 

“For people in Manchester this will mean more reliable and more frequent – not just faster - services to Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Warrington and York.” 

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: 

"This is a welcome and long overdue step towards the creation of a highly productive and internationally competitive Northern growth corridor. By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world. 

That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the North, maximising the region's contribution to national growth that is why we look forward to working with Government and regional partners on ways to deliver NPR at the earliest possible opportunity.”