A plan to cut the train journey between between Manchester and Liverpool by 14 minutes has been announced by Gordon Brown.
The £100m scheme to electrify the 32-mile line will slash the journey time between the two cities to 30 minutes.
The funding is part of plans to electrify vast swathes of the rail network. Currently, only 40 per cent is electrified, with diesels on the remainder.
Electric trains, which emit nearly a third less carbon dioxide than diesels, are more reliable and usually provide extra passenger space.
The Liverpool to Manchester line was the world's first inter-city passenger railway route when it opened in 1830 and Mr Brown hailed the new link as a worthy follow-on to Stephenson's famous Rocket engine - which heralded the dawn of modern rail travel.
The journey from Manchester to Liverpool currently takes 44 minutes . . . and electrification should cut it by 14 minutes.
Work on the upgrade will begin right away and be completed within four years.
Mr Brown said: "A hundred and eighty-five years ago, George Stephenson, famous for the Rocket steam engine, began work on the world's first intercity passenger railway linking Liverpool and Manchester.
"Passengers will notice the difference in faster journey times, quieter trains, more seats and improved reliability.
"This should reduce the need for engineering work at weekends and bank holidays, which I know infuriates travellers.
"And, in some cases, capacity will be increased because the diesel engine can be replaced with an extra coach."
He said there would be advantages to local businesses, through more jobs, increased tourism and extra freight.
"Just as the Victorians industrialised Britain and reaped the rewards, so we can benefit from converting to a green economy," he added.
Transport minister Sadiq Khan was in Manchester today to unveil more details.
The London Paddington to Cardiff route will also be electrified as part of the scheme.
Services from London St Pancras to Sheffield have also been earmarked for upgrading.
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Hate_this_place, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 12:10)
How exactly does he envisage this happening?
Paul, South Manchester (23/07/2009 at 12:30)
I have heard stories of IT and creative companies moving to London because there is not an adequate pool of the right resource in Manchester. If Manchester is then less than 30 minutes from say Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield then the pool of available talent is increaed
Sarcastion Nastyface (23/07/2009 at 12:30)
Mr Manchester (23/07/2009 at 12:34)
PW, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 12:43)
Kris-Kross, Ashton Under Lyne (23/07/2009 at 12:48)
Stop moaning please!
Crantock (23/07/2009 at 12:54)
Great so Manchester to liverpool in 30 mins. The Lancashire and Yorkshire did it in 40 minutes going via Wigan.....in 1907.
Transpennine's trains to the airport can be electric. Yes but they have to go the long way round rather than via Chorley and Bolton and their through services to Barrow or Windermere won't be electric. Transpennine's trains from Liverpool to Yorkshire stay diesel.
The rest of the spend is just a southern commuter route - they will stop at Bristol.
Mr Manchester (23/07/2009 at 12:56)
And it isn't moaning, KK, it's just a bit of harmless humour. Almost.
AdrianR, Warrington (23/07/2009 at 13:16)
nyb, ex manc (23/07/2009 at 13:22)
The sign of a thriving "first world" country is fast efficint communications systems. For once the government is looking beyond M25land and the Kingdom of London.
The Liverpool/Manchester/Leeds conurbations have the potential to be similar to Greater London in economic power and employment. Fast, efficient communications linking all three will open up this giant area for people and companies, and generate jobs and a thriving economy right across the regions.
AdrianR, Warrington (23/07/2009 at 13:42)
Also one reason is the Parkside terminal which is universally opposed by people living around there. Not even got through planning yet.
NorthernGeezer, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 13:43)
PW, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 13:45)
Blue Dude, Manchester. (23/07/2009 at 13:48)
This puts South Manchester on the London commuter belt. Branson will fix the trains to make calls and get broadband on the journey. More mobility in the UK people. Anyone in the NW can apply to work in 'the smoke' and not have to relocate. Watch those South M/cr house prices rise...
The relevance of this is that already 7 million people live within 1 hour of Manchester, great market potential, great pool of labour to tap into and now 30 mins to Liverpool even better choice to employ people from. The world is shrinking people...Some people dont like this tho'. I understand that they prefer the "its grim up north" stuff. I prefer Tony Wilsons vision for Manchester as opposed to Ena Sharples.
Technobabble, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 13:52)
NorthernGeezer"
Ho-ho. But you have already been beaten to the punchline.... twice.
But seriously, Liverpool and Manchester are rivals, but what do you expect from siblings; they both "grew up" as a result of the industrial revolution, and been a double act ever since. Let's work together to make sure the mandarins in Whitehall don't kill off this project, and give London a run for it's money.
Blue Benny (23/07/2009 at 14:01)
TheLimey, Southern California (23/07/2009 at 15:26)
Technobabble, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 15:42)
TheLimey, Southern California"
Already here, kidda...
JTC Formerley JimC (23/07/2009 at 15:48)
Rumble, In the jungle (23/07/2009 at 15:53)
JTC Formerley JimC (23/07/2009 at 15:56)
TheLimey, Southern California (23/07/2009 at 16:00)
Esso Blue, Rubber Stamping Office. G. Barry, R. S. Cruz. C. Tevez (sic). E. Adebayor., It's a Done Deal. Next. Manchester (23/07/2009 at 16:40)
Phil-i'd rather walk alone- Wall, Manchester (23/07/2009 at 16:51)
CRAIG-SALFORD, SALFORD (23/07/2009 at 17:27)