Reinstate original plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail line

In 2019 the Prime Minister declared he wanted to do with Northern Powerhouse Rail what is being done with Crossrail in London. The Government should stick to this plan.

The proposed overground station threatens to turn city centre into a building site. An underground station would surely free up the land above, for homes, businesses, open parks and a welcoming public plan and boulevard.

The cut price overground station will include a mile-long viaduct of up to 12 meters in height to reach the new surface station.

In comparison London’s £15bn Crossrail opened £4bn over budget. London’s ‘super hub’ is an 850-meter station with 14 platforms, 6 underground high speed ones and eight conventional ones above ground. There will be no unsightly viaducts at this point on the line.