Concern has been growing among leaders in the North over the plans for Manchester's HS2 station, with the HS2-Crewe-Manchester Bill set for a second reading in Parliament.
The plans may see a raised line from Ardwick leading to an overground station on concrete pillars built on the northern flank of Piccadilly station, rather than the the originally planned underground station.
Critics have said that the cheaper overground option would cause a number of issues including cutting Metrolink services for years, swallowing up development land as well as potential for 14,000 jobs, and severing the city centre with a jungle of concrete structures.
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Many readers have already joined Northern leaders in voicing their opposition to the idea, with one saying: " We do not want this train to go overland into our City making an almighty mess of the run in from Ardwick."
Another added: " Just NO. Underground option only. They can build new underground systems in London, but not here?!"
More readers voiced their frustration with comparisons to London, with one saying: " Just another example of why Tory claims of 'Levelling Up' are a load of garbage. No way would these monstrous viaducts be built in London."
Lots of readers showed their support for an underground station, with one responding: " Manchester is a rapidly growing city in a central-ish location on the UK mainland. An underground station would at least give expansion opportunities."
However, others were sceptical about the HS2 line as a whole, with one person commenting: " It won’t be built, so stop fussing, they will stop at Birmingham having spent the entire budget and more..
"Levelling up is a pacification phrase with no substance or a plan."
What do you think about the plans for an overground station? Let us know in the comments section.
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