THE recent Higgins report on HS3, a high-speed rail provision proposed to run broadly from Liverpool to Hull, via Manchester and Leeds has indicated feasibility and benefits for the project.

So as far as the government is concerned it’s game on.

Maybe. HS2 is hardly done and dusted, so HS3 remains a very, very distant possibility.If it does go forward what should concern us in Warrington? Liverpool and Manchester will get priority, so Warrington will have a fight on its hands to get a good network connection to these prime points.

If the project is to go forward current development plans are likely to be reduced, compromising service in the meantime. Warrington needs to ensure that the skilled labour from this area will be deployed on the project.

Bringing contractors in from far and wide does not maximise financial contribution in the local economy.

So overall, whilst the project may be feasible and has the potential to be a great asset there is a danger that Warrington’s needs will not be met.

Who will be fighting the case for Warrington? Even with a couple of decades to go it’s never too early to start lobbying.

LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Padgate campus and writes a weekly column for the Warrington Guardian business pages.