Two ambitious transport schemes which could revolutionise travel across the region were showcased at an interactive debate jointly staged by ICE Manchester and NW Graduates & Students last Thursday.
The event’s centrepiece took the form of presentations by Network Rail Programme Engineering Manager Nigel Jacques and Stephen Clark, Rail Programme Director, Transport for Greater Manchester.
The 40 plus audience in the Peterloo Room of the Mechanics Centre heard how the Northern Hub is set to increase network capacity, reduce journey times and accommodate the boom in rail freight movement throughout the entire Northern region.
And both speakers urged the audience to take a positive role in seeking to influence the project outcome as it enters a critical funding stage over the forthcoming weeks.
Nigel Jacques said the project is currently 50 per cent funded, enjoys almost universal support among the North’s business community and promises in the region of 25,000 new jobs once it is fully operational.
But he stressed that without two additional platforms at Piccadilly along with improved links to Victoria Station there would be no tangible capacity benefits for commuters or rail freight.
And he emphasised that Network Rail will look for the supply chain to provide the necessary engineering skills to deliver the project, rather than his organisation recruiting and training the staff.
In response to a question from Manchester Branch Chair Nick Brookes about how 30 per cent efficiency savings might be achieved, Stephen Clark outlined a range of measures that could deliver, from electrification and smart ticketing to the concept of a ‘tram/train’ for the urban street environment.
Event Chair Chris Wearne praised the high quality of the debate and audience questions before proposing a vote of thanks to the speakers.