Huw Merrimen to chair Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board

Former Rail Minister and a previous Chair of the Transport Select Committee Huw Merriman has been appointed Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board, a new board tasked with supporting the development and delivery of a new railway between Liverpool and Manchester.

The new Partnership Board will work alongside the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board to provide private sector expertise, experience and strategic advice, helping to build the business case for the most ambitious line possible.

As chair of the Railway Partnership Board the former Conservative MP will bring a wealth of experience of transport in government. Other members of the Partnership Board will be announced in due course.

The Railway Board has also unveiled a new report which sets out the investment case for a new railway, exploring the potential benefits for regional and national growth. The report says the right scheme could be worth an additional £7bn per year and 40,000 additional jobs by 2050, as well supporting the construction of 300,000 new homes.

Preferred options include transformational investment in city centre stations in Liverpool and a modern, underground station at Manchester Piccadilly. The new high-speed line would run through new stations at Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, connecting the Investment Zones in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester via prime development sites.

Earlier this year, the Mayors of Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester established the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board to work with government to maximise the economic and social benefits of investment in rail infrastructure between the North West’s two largest city-regions.

The Railway Board is chaired by Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, with the leaders of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, and Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, serving as vice-chairs. It also involves other local authorities along the route, as well as the Port of Liverpool, Manchester Airports Group, and other stakeholder organisations.

The Partnership Board will be made up of private sector and industry leaders from engineering and multi-disciplinary consultancies, land and real estate companies, and sectors like urban design, finance and education, among others.

Huw Merriman, Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board said, “I’m delighted to take up this new role chairing the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board. Working with a team of business leaders and industry specialists, we will help the Mayors and regional leaders deliver a business case which maximises the economic and social opportunities. In addition to improving transport connectivity, this new railway can act as a catalyst for new jobs, homes and growth for the wider region and nation.

“I have been an advocate for a new Liverpool-Manchester railway from my time as Rail Minister and, before this, when chairing the House of Commons Transport Select Committee. Throughout this time, the vision and ambition of the region, led by the Mayors, has been clear and has driven the project to its next stage of development. I’m looking forward to working with the Mayors and the Railway Board to get this new railway, and the opportunities it will bring, delivered.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said, “The original Liverpool-Manchester Railway helped make the North West of England the centre of the industrial world. On its 200th anniversary we’re ready to lead the way again – showing that another way is possible, pioneering a place-based, bottom-up approach to delivering infrastructure.

“Growth will only come through investment and there is a clear and compelling case for a new line. The right scheme would be transformational for the North’s economy, linking employment sites and Investment Zones, and help us make a significant contribution to national growth.

“The Partnership Board will play a key role in that. We’re grateful to Huw for agreeing to share his considerable expertise by chairing the Partnership Board, ensuring this project moves forward with cross-party input, and we look forward to working with him to realise our ambition of a railway fit for the future.”

Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram added, “This work has always been guided by a focus on place rather than party. As Rail Minister, Huw was supportive of our ambitions, and we are pleased to bring his considerable experience in government to our Partnership Board.”