I was brought up within a few yards of the Great Central north of Nottm. It was criminally closed by Beeching. Some bollox about the tunnels being too low to electrify, which, from 60 years ago is possibly the lamest excuse in the history of excuses, considering that much of the present system is still not electrified. Also, the (admittedly numerous) tunnels through Nottm, were in soft 'Bunter' sandstone, which is very easily tunnelled, such that a bit of extra height could have been easily achieved. Given the will.
Brunel would be turning in his grave...
So now.. much discussion of 'East Midlands Parkway' etc.which to me is just some place in the middle of nowhere.
Meanwhile, I now live within a 15 minute drive of Rainhill, on the Liverpool to Manchester line. Edge Hill, the first stop out of Liverpool is I believe the oldest still operating passenger station in the World.
Yet the journey from Liverpool to Manchester takes an age, and getting on from there to Leeds or Hull..is a nightmare. I can't see how that line can be 'upgraded'.
With the single exception of London to the South West.. cross country routes have been shit for a century and this Govt. is doing nothing to remedy that.