Integrated Rail Plan: Manchester mayor Andy Burnham warns region faces decades of ‘second best trains’

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has told MPs the North of England could be left with “second-best” trains for generations if the Government fails to get the Integrated Rail Plan right.

Mr Burnham told the Transport Select Committee on Wednesday that the delivery of the plan - which includes the HS2 high-speed project - was crucial to power the economic transformation of the North.

He said: “These are once in 20 years decisions for the country - and particularly for the North of England. If we get second best, then the North of England will have second-best for 200 years or more.

“The importance of this can’t be overstated.... I don’t believe it will unlock the full economic transformation of the North of England.”

He also highlighted that the current IRP lacked the links to Bradford and Leeds than were needed in Manchester.

The Government has previously stated the IRP will deliver more quickly and be more cost-effective than prior plans.

Mr Burnham has previously called for Manchester’s new HS2 rail station to be put underground - but the Government plans to site it above ground near Piccadilly.