Creation of major new high speed Liverpool to Manchester rail station takes step forward

The creation of a major new high speed rail station in Liverpool, strengthening the city's links with Manchester, has taken a significant step closer.

With the time that voters go to the pools to choose Liverpool's Metro Mayor drawing closer, Steve Rotheram pledged alongside Andy Burnham to create a new public-private Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board that could further increase rail capacity between the two city regions.

The Labour candidates been informed by the government that options can now be considered to bolster the corridor between Liverpool and Manchester after HS2 was scrapped last year, the ECHO reports.

READ MORE There are serious concerns about Co-op Live - but police and fire bosses have stayed silent on issues that delayed opening

Should the pair be returned in their respective elections next month, the two hope to see progress on the project to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the world's first passenger railway in Rainhill in 2029.

After the government announced plans to do away with the major high speed rail project, Mr Rotheram and Mr Burnham were invited to advise on the best solution for improved connectivity between the two cities as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme.

Mr Rotheram said he was opposed to upgrades to existing freight lines rather than promises of new twin track lines across the Liverpool City Region.

In a letter to Mr Rotheram and Coun Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, Huw Merriman MP, confirmed unpalatable options would no longer be considered, opening up the possibility of improved infrastructure to increase capacity.

Mr Merriman wrote: "I am committed to continuing to work with yourselves and other local leaders toward identifying the best solutions