SRCG has been working closely with the author, Andrew Gilligan, for many months and has provided information of its very detailed assessment of the devastating effects of DfT’s HS2 Phase 2 on 75% of West Coast Mainline destinations north of Birmingham, together with its analysis of the DfT’s Northern Powerhouse Rail Core scheme proposals and its even more unrealistic and unaffordable replacement – the Liverpool to Manchester Railway.
In common with the approach that the SRCG has followed since its formation in 2016, we have also proposed constructive alternative rail solutions for both schemes that we have have named ‘HS2 Phase 1+’ and ‘NPR Direct’ . Our alternatives are designed to maximise the public investment already made and committed to HS2 Phase One and the Transpennine Route Upgrade. If implemented, we believe these alternatives would deliver much improved rail services to many more passengers at a fraction of the cost of the Department for Transport’s schemes. They would also be deliverable in a much shorter timescale to provide the very best outcomes for travellers to, and across, the North of England, as well as UK taxpayers.
SRCG’s NPR Direct proposals are entirely consistent with the author’s ambitions for the ‘Elizabeth line for Manchester’, and include a 12km west to east aligned tunnel and new underground through station at Manchester Piccadilly. NPR Direct would also enable Liverpool to Manchester journey times of approximately 26 minutes, which represents an estimated 10-11 minute journey time saving compared to the highly circuitous and much longer Liverpool to Manchester Railway proposals.
Please find the link to the article here
Stone Railway Campaign Group
9th September 2025
