For the first time, official HS2 maps show the specific locations for junctions to connect Liverpool and London and Liverpool and Manchester via HS2 that when connected to Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver full HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail connectivity for Liverpool City Region.

The news follows the inclusion of Liverpool’s Northern Powerhouse Rail lines in Transport for the North’s Strategic Transport Plan, which was published in February and the announcement of a Commission to take forward a new station for Liverpool City Centre, chaired by Everton CEO Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale MBE.

The investment in the new junctions is £100 million, for which the city region had previously secured a commitment from the Government.

A public consultation will now take part on the plans.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region said:

“It’s great news that today Liverpool City Region is finally, truly on the HS2 map. We have fought long and hard to make sure HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail come to Liverpool and to see these £100 million connections confirmed on the official route maps is another big step forward for the Liverpool City Region.

“Delivering HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver a £15 billion boost to our economy, 24,000 jobs, 11,000 new homes and 3.6 million extra visitors for Liverpool City region.

“It will also enable us to make the most of the hundreds of millions invested in our Port, with the potential to take 150 million HGV freight miles a year off the road and maximise the big investments we are making in our local integrated transport system, like the £460 million for our new, state-of-the art trains for the Merseyrail network.”

“I will ensure that we keep up the pressure on the Government to deliver the connectivity to maximise the potential in our City Region and throughout the North of England”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which oversees transport locally, will respond to the consultation to ensure the plans are taken forward.