Work on multimillion pound rail hub begins in Manchester

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Manchester Piccadilly Credit: PA

Work on the Northern Rail hub scheme will officially begin today in Manchester. The Chancellor and Tatton MP George Osborne will be in the city to kickstart the £600 million investment programme by Network Rail.

The project will begin with the launching the construction of a new fourth platform at Manchester Airport station, the first phase of the project which spans the north of England.

The hub promises, more trains, faster journey times and the electrification of routes in the area. All in the hope we'll change our habits and use the railways more. Bosses also say it would also boost the regional economy by over 4 billion pounds and create thousands of new jobs.

The Prime Minister David Cameron said, "We're creating a fast modern reliable railway with more capacity and cleaner electric trains. Its about getting people and freight off the roads and onto the railways."

And it's not just quicker trains, at Manchester Victoria - the plans will also see this station get a £27 million revamp including a brand new futuristic roof - to fix the leaks that have plagued commuters for years. But of course all of this comes at a price, and that means tickets will go up.

So what can we expect?

  • 700 more trains a day running between towns and cities across the north

  • £4bn worth of wider economic benefits to the region and potentially 20/30,000 new jobs

  • Reduced journey times from Manchester to both Liverpool and Leeds

  • The work will also disrupt the local road network but local diversions will be clearly marked.

  • £20m platform upgrade at Manchester Airport station due for completion by the end of 2015

  • Two new fast trains per hour between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool

  • Six fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester (currently four)

  • Journey times between Leeds and Manchester could be reduced by about 10 minutes

  • Electric trains will start operating between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool in December with faster journey times, cutting 10-15 minutes off the existing journey time.

  • New direct services through Manchester city centre to Manchester Airport