The project would be based on the existing Manchester-to-Leeds rail line but journey times would be speeded up by building new tunnels and infrastructure.
Speaking in Manchester today, the Chancellor is expected to say: “The cities of the North are individually strong, but collectively not strong enough.
“The whole is less than the sum of its parts. So the powerhouse of London dominates more and more. And that’s not healthy for our economy. It’s not good for our country.”
“Today I want us to start thinking about whether to build a new high-speed rail connection east-west from Manchester to Leeds. A third high speed railway for Britain.”
Although no timescale or budget for HS3 has been fixed, Osborne’s move is a sign that the Government is worried that the recovery is unbalanced.
