Freight could be major beneficiary as mayors back Liverpool to Manchester rail link

The plan - titled 'Connecting the North West to drive national prosperity' - that the mayors are backing states that the proposed Liverpool-Manchester railway would be the backbone of the wider “Northern Arc” project, and would release capacity for freight on the existing Chat Moss and Cheshire Lines.

It says that this would allow for additional freight paths to and from key hubs including the Port of Liverpool and intermodal terminals, supporting clean growth and sustainability in the region, enabling the creation of integrated transport systems, reducing road congestion, and achieving a fair transition to net zero.

The leaders of the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester combined authorities outlined how the new line - which would stretch from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly - could deliver a £15bn boost to the economy. Mr Rotheram and Mr Burnham will ask the government to make good on proposals for £17bn allocated for the rail link last year.

Speaking outside the Houses of Parliament alongside former rail minister Huw Merriman, Mr Burnham and Mr Rotheram set out their vision for the rail link and called on ministers to get spades in the ground at the start of the next decade. Mr Rotheram said currently the Liverpool to Manchester corridor is served by “poor infrastructure” and development of the new line could “drive national prosperity at a local level.”

It would also act as a catalyst for the wider generation of Liverpool Central station.

Mr Burnham said: “This place has grown above the rest of the UK economy because of the devolution we had and because of the change we are bringing about in the North West of England. The North West of England is closing the gap on the rest of the UK, the North-South divide has begun to close.

“If we carry on with a rail system that people can’t trust, that doesn’t get them there on time, that ruins people’s working days, all of that success is going to be put at risk and we can’t accept that. We’ve got growth but you now have to build out to increase that level of growth and that’s why this railway is absolutely critical.”

The Greater Manchester Mayor said it was accepted the spending review would be “difficult” but wanted the government to commit to a window for the railway to be built at the start of the 2030s. He added: “Everyone is saying this is the moment to set this North West up for prosperity and growth in the 21st century and that is our message to our colleagues in Parliament and to the government today.”

Mr Rotheram said the project had gained cross party support, citing Mr Merriman - a former Tory minister - as chair of the rail partnership board. Mr Merriman said: “Here you’ve got today the politicians and the local authorities, not only on the line of route but around it, who are championing this and saying if this is delivered we will use our powers to build the economic prosperity off the back of it.

“It’s connectivity that is badly needed, the average journey time is 53 minutes and we want to bring it down to just over 30 minutes. It’s the connector that brings homes, jobs, skills and crucially will make sure those that own land around it actually pay and contribute so that the general taxpayer doesn’t pay everything and certain people get the benefits.

“We’re looking for the government now to work with the region to help us deliver this and demonstrate to business and the community that this railway is going to happen and that growth will continue in the North West.”

Logistics UK's Senior Policy Advisor Ellis Shelton said: "By creating a dedicated route between Lime Street and Piccadilly, we can free up crucial capacity on the Chat Moss and Cheshire Lines for high‑volume freight traffic. This will enable more goods to move directly between the Port of Liverpool, intermodal terminals and the heart of Greater Manchester, reducing our reliance on long‑haul road haulage.

"Shifting freight from road to rail delivers enormous economic and environmental dividends. Rail freight produces up to 76% fewer CO₂ emissions per tonne‑kilometre than heavy goods vehicles, cuts congestion on our motorways and improves air quality in communities along the corridor.

"As we push towards the UK’s net‑zero goals, expanding our rail freight network is not just a sustainability imperative - it’s an economic one too. More reliable, faster freight paths mean businesses can plan with confidence, unlocking new investment and creating jobs across the North West.

"A modern, resilient rail freight backbone will help decarbonise our logistics sector, secure the North West’s competitive edge and deliver fairer, greener prosperity for communities from Liverpool to Manchester and beyond.

Published On: 20/05/2025 13:00:00