Mixed reaction to 'Northern Powerhouse’ high-speed rail plan

A report advocating a significant boost to the rail network in the north of England did not receive unanimous backing from the media, with several papers pointing out that the plans have yet to be costed, and also that talk of HS3 might be premature, given that any work building HS2 has yet to begin.

THE REPORT advocating an ‘HS3’ high-speed rail network in the north of England (p3) was given a huge amount of coverage in the media towards the end of October, despite the fact that, as the BBC’s transport correspondent, Richard Westcott, pointed out: “The announcement is a long way shy of any solid commitment to speed up trains across the Pennines.

“The Government has just asked for some possible routes and prices,” Westcott also observed. “A cynic...

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