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View offers Hi {{fullName}} * My Independent Premium * Account details * Help centre * Logout (BUTTON) News > UK > Home News HS3: Manchester to Leeds in half an hour as rail plan is ready to depart * Nigel Morris @NigelpMorris * Monday 27 October 2014 00:51 {{^moreThanTen}} * {{total}} comments {{/moreThanTen}} * The £21.4bn-budget first phase, between London and Birmingham, reduces the journey time to 49 minutes, and is due for completion by 2026 Train journey times between the north of England’s biggest cities would be halved under plans published on Monday for new high-speed rail services across the Pennines. The scheme, promoted by the head of the £50bn HS2 project, would slash the travel time between Leeds and Manchester from 55 minutes to a maximum of 34 minutes. It has won the backing of the Government, with the Chancellor, George Osborne, declaring that the project would be “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London”. Download the new Indpendent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines (BUTTON) Download now The proposals have been drawn up by Sir David Higgins, the chairman of HS2 Ltd, the company behind the controversial scheme to build a high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham with further spurs to Manchester and Leeds. Phase one, between London and Birmingham, is due to be built by 2026 although it has run into fierce opposition from local communities. The second phase, to the North-west and Yorkshire, is scheduled for completion by 2033, but Sir David is keen for the timetable to be accelerated. Created with Sketch. For and Against HS2 Show all 5 Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch. (BUTTON) Created with Sketch. For and Against HS2 1/5 Against: Ed Balls Ed Balls has questioned whether HS2 is ‘the best way to spend £50bn’. Peter Mandelson expressed fear that the project could be an ‘expensive mistake' Getty 2/5 On the Fence: The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter, director of England, explains: ‘Currently, people and nature stand to lose if HS2 goes ahead, which is why our opposition to the proposed route for HS2 remains'. But, if it is to be built, The Wildlife Trusts propose a new, greener plan for the HS2 to create ‘around 15,000 hectares of new, interlinked wild places established along the entire length of the route, which people can walk, cycle through and enjoy'. 3/5 For: Mary Creagh Labour’s transport spokesperson, Mary Creagh, says: ‘Labour is backing this new line, which will cut congestion on the railways, better connect our major cities and help deliver a one-nation economic recovery’ AFP 4/5 For: Sir Albert Bore Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, says: ‘We have to build HS2. Doing nothing is not an option’ 5/5 For: Pete Waterman Pete Waterman, Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, says: ‘HS2 will be built by young people, building their future’ Getty 1/5 Against: Ed Balls Ed Balls has questioned whether HS2 is ‘the best way to spend £50bn’. Peter Mandelson expressed fear that the project could be an ‘expensive mistake' Getty 2/5 On the Fence: The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter The Wildlife Trusts’ Stephen Trotter, director of England, explains: ‘Currently, people and nature stand to lose if HS2 goes ahead, which is why our opposition to the proposed route for HS2 remains'. But, if it is to be built, The Wildlife Trusts propose a new, greener plan for the HS2 to create ‘around 15,000 hectares of new, interlinked wild places established along the entire length of the route, which people can walk, cycle through and enjoy'. 3/5 For: Mary Creagh Labour’s transport spokesperson, Mary Creagh, says: ‘Labour is backing this new line, which will cut congestion on the railways, better connect our major cities and help deliver a one-nation economic recovery’ AFP 4/5 For: Sir Albert Bore Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, says: ‘We have to build HS2. Doing nothing is not an option’ 5/5 For: Pete Waterman Pete Waterman, Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, says: ‘HS2 will be built by young people, building their future’ Getty In a new report he says alternatives to the proposed second phase would not produce the same capacity, connectivity and economic benefits. George Osborne declared the project would be 'as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London' He also urges a further stage, dubbed HS3, to improve services between east and west in northern England. The line, which would cost more than £5bn from a proposed £15bn fund for transport improvements in the North, would reduce journey times between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. Sir David also calls in the report for the go-ahead to be given to both legs of the proposed HS2 network. David Cameron said: “Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan for the North to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hard-working people. That’s why we are backing HS3. “I welcome Sir David Higgins’ report which will help our work to create a northern powerhouse and ensure that HS2 delivers the maximum economic benefits.” Independent news email Only the best news in your inbox ____________________ Enter your email address (BUTTON) Continue (BUTTON) Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid Email already exists. Log in to update your newsletter preferences Register with your social account or click here to log in receiveIndyHeadlines [ ] I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email Update newsletter preferences The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: “There’s no point developing north-south links without promoting the connectivity of the cities in the North.” The shadow Transport Secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “Labour supports high-speed rail to improve the connections between cities in the North and Midlands and London.” Comments Share your thoughts and debate the big issues Learn more (BUTTON) {{#singleComment_p}}{{value_p}} Independent Premium comment{{/singleComment_p}}{{^singleComment_p}}{{value_p}} Independent Premium comments{{/singleComment_p}} (BUTTON) {{#singleComment_open}}{{value}} open comment{{/singleComment_open}}{{^singleComment_open}}{{value}} open comments{{/singleComment_open}} Open Comments Join the discussion (BUTTON) Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. * You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully * Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable * Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties * We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. 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HS3: Manchester to Leeds in half an hour as rail plan is ready to 1/2 The £21.4bn-budget first phase, between London and Birmingham, reduces the journey time to 49 minutes, and is due for completion by 2026 2/2 George Osborne declared the project would be 'as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London' Getty