Council rails against HS2 law changes

MANCHESTER council plans to contest 'issues of particular concern' contained in proposed changes to the law that would bring the controversial HS2 railway to the region.

- PAUL BRITTON

They include 'major' changes to junction six of the M56 motorway and nearby highways, together with the design's impact on Metrolink.

The high-speed, north-south line from Manchester to London via Birmingham and Crewe would be built over decades in phases. Phase '2b' would connect Crewe to Manchester, with the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill submitted to Parliament last January.

Manchester is fully supportive of HS2 and the vast benefits it should bring, but wants an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly instead of a surface level one. The Bill would grant powers and permission for HS2 Ltd to build and operate the railway, together with the creation of new HS2 stations at Piccadilly and at Manchester Airport, along with a tunnel from Davenport Green to Ardwick.