An open letter co-ordinated by campaign group 20 Miles More is pushing all three main party leaders to commit to ensuring Liverpool is part of the HS2 route. The letter is  signed by leading firms in freight, tourism, retail, life science and creative industries. Current HS2 proposals do not include a high speed line to the city and nor do proposals in the Transport for the North vision for an east to west HS3. 

Crossrail chief engineer Chris Dulake will join HS2 on 18 May as engineering director for phase one of the scheme.