People across the north of England have given their backing to Network Rail’s plans to improve rail links across the region.
The feedback shows a large public appetite for more journeys by rail.
More than two thousand people attended events in stations, town halls and shopping centres and gave their feedback online during a recent consultation.
Network Rail’s biggest ever consultation exercise in the north showcased exciting plans for the Northern Hub, a vision for rail investment across the region.
If fully funded the Hub would allow faster, more frequent journeys.
It includes the Ordsall Chord, a new short section of railway near Manchester which will reduce journey times by easing a major bottleneck; work to electrify the network between Manchester and Liverpool and the Lancashire triangle, and plans to fully restore Manchester Victoria station.
Network Rail’s Graham Botham, said:
“The scale of this consultation clearly demonstrates our ambition to stimulate economic growth by better connecting the towns and cities of the north.
“It is hugely encouraging that the overwhelming majority of the public in the region support our plans to make it easier for people to get to work, do business, go shopping and visit friends and family.”
Network Rail is inviting further comment on all aspects of the vision during consultations to be held in 2012.
