This is a great opportunity to link the major centres of the North and bring jobs and prosperity to those parts. No longer will it then be necessary to over crowd the South East and South generally, spreading the population and wealth to more northerly parts.
The benefits of building such a line commence from the very start with construction and auxiliary jobs in thousands created. During and after building the line will continue to attract jobs in many fields, with British industry being able to speedily transport it's products right across Europe.
It is ironic that the vision of a fast continental line by first Watkin, then later Sir Sam Fay was almost realised in 1899 with the completion of the Great Central "London extension" line linking the likes of Rugby, Nottingham, Loughborough, and Sheffield with the intention of connecting with a future Channel Tunnel. Yet it was basically closed in 1966, with the final section going in 1969.

We now need the full line to achieve the original objectives, especially as the high speed line between France and St. Pancras has been built, but as with everything else first money will be a major hurdle, then as previously stated the protests by those who don't want it in their back yards!!
The estimate of 20 years before it is actually built seems about right, but that is far from good for the future of GB plc.
