A new high-speed rail link between Manchester and Leeds could help create a "northern powerhouse", the chancellor claimed this week. In a speech in Manchester, George Osborne said building the east-west link, dubbed 'HS3',will be considered as part of a High Speed 2 second phase review. The line would bring the major cities in the North together to make them collectively stronger, he said. However, Institute of Economic Affairs head of transport Richard Wellings said the announcement was a "vanity project designed to attract votes". Speaking to Construction News, Dr Wellings said the government should focus on promoting smaller schemes such as new road infrastructure in the North, which could be privately financed instead.
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