HS3: New high speed rail plan to connect Manchester to Leeds in half an hour

The £50bn HS2 project would slash the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a maximum of 34 minutes.

17:56 27 October 2014

Plans for the new high-speed rail services across the Pennines have been unveiled in a move that would see train journey times between the north of England’s biggest cities cut almost in half. The £50bn HS3 project, an offshoot of HS2, is being heralded as being able to slash the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a maximum of 34 minutes.

The proposal, which was drawn up by Sir David Higgins, has the backing of the government. Chancellor George Osborne said that the project would be “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London.” 

The first phase for the ongoing high speed rail project, which involves the route between London and Birmingham, is scheduled to be built by 2026. The second phase, which will connect the North-west and Yorkshire is expected to be completed by 2033.

David 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 hard-working 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.”