Liverpool-Manchester megalopolis

The "Liverpool-Manchester megalopolis" is one of the names given to the megapolitan area in North West England, often abbreviated by inhabitants of the megalopolis to simply 'the North-West'. This is an inaccurate description as the area being referred to, the megalopolis, only covers the southern half of the region. The region is also sometimes referred to as a "metroplex".

Home to around 4.2 million people, the megalopolis is comprised predominantly of the converging metropolises of Manchester and Liverpool, but also contains connecting towns and cities that lie just outside the official metropolitan boundaries.

The origin of the megalopolis

Manchester and Liverpool have had a competitive yet symbiotic relationship since the industrial revolution. Manchester was said to make things, while Liverpool moved them citation needed . Both cities dominated industry for a long period, Liverpool was for a time regarded as the British Empire's second city, and was a major port for the Americas.

These factors were the cause for major growth in each, but with Liverpool constrained on the west by the sea and Manchester constrained on the east by a mountainous region called the Pennines, urban sprawl would inevitably lead one city to the other.

The North-West identity

Although each town and city has its own identity, there is a wider 'North-West' identity which covers both the administrative region of the 'North-West of England' and that of the megalopolis. Those from the north of the region who refer to 'the North-West' tend to be referring to the entire administrative region, whereas inhabitants of the megalopolis are likely to only be referring to the megalopolis itself. Inhabitants of Liverpool are known as 'Scousers' or 'Liverpudlians', while those of Manchester are referred to as 'Mancs' or 'Mancunians'. Many of the inhabitants of the megalopolis who live outside these official boundaries identify themselves with one or the other, often determined by vocal accent.

Financial centres

The megalopolis has four main financial centres, Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Warrington.

Connections

Urban sprawl
The centres of Manchester and Liverpool are approximately 30 miles apart, and the area between is almost uninterrupted urban build up.

Additionally, other urban areas just outside the connected urban sprawl are tightly connected to the larger metropolitan entities and operate as entities within the megapolitan area, adding to the labour pool. These include: Chester, Warrington, Wigan, Runcorn, Northwich, and Wilmslow.

West Yorkshire

The short distance (approximately 15 miles) between the edge of the North-West megalopolis and the start of the West Yorkshire conurbation area has led some to refer to a 'Leeds-Liverpool megalopolis', however the two entities are not tightly connected and cannot be considered a single megalopolis - they operate separately, have no shared identity, and are likely to be permanently separated by the Pennines.

Urban growth in West Yorkshire, however, is likely to lead to the formation of a separate megalopolis there at some point in the future.

Road
The North-West megalopolis has a large motorway network. Motorways connect all the major urban centres:
M53: Mid-Wirral Motorway, connects southern Merseyside and Chester with Liverpool city centre;
M56: Connects southern Merseyside and Chester with southern Manchester via Warrington;
M62: Connects central Liverpool with central manchester, via Warrington;
M57: Connects southern and northern Merseyside;
M58: Connects northern Merseyside to the M6;
M60: Manchester ring road;
M61: Connects north-eastern Manchester to the M60;
M66: Connects northern Manchester to the M60;
M6: Runs the north-south length of the megalopolis connecting it the northern and southern England.

The megalopolis is also home to a large number of expressways, providing additional road connectivity between and within the centres.

Bridges and tunnels
The Mersey Tunnels (comprising two separate road tunnel systems, and one rail tunnel) connect Liverpool city centre to Wirral.
The Silver Jubilee Bridge (or the Runcorn Bridge) connects south Liverpool with Runcorn.
The Thelwell Viaduct is part of the M6 and travels over the Manchester Ship Canal.
Plans have been submitted for a new Mersey crossing at Runcorn. citation needed

Rail
National rail services run to all the major population centres, but are dominated by the large stations at Manchester Victoria, Manchester Picadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

Rail services within the megalopolis are provided by combination of the metropolitan rail systems of Liverpool and Manchester, in addition to third party rail services to destinations in between the two (such as Wigan, Helsby & Frodsham, and Runcorn).

The metropolitan rail systems dominate the megalopolis and are offered by the Merseyrail metro-style rail system in the east, and GMPTE branded suburban services in the west. The two systems interconnect, with Merseyrail City Line services running from central Liverpool to central Manchester. Greater Manchester is also served by the Metrolink light rail system.

Most of the rail stations in the megalopolis are branded either in Merseytravel or GMPTE livery.

The prospect of a mag-lev train service between Liverpool and Manchester city centres has been raised, which would cut the journey time between the two centres to around 10 minutes. citation needed

River
Mersey Ferries operate a commuter and leisure crossing service between Liverpool city centre and Wirral.
Mersey Ferries also operate a leisure service from Liverpool city centre to Manchester via the Manchester Ship Canal.
Ferry services to the Isle of Mann operate from Liverpool city centre to Douglas.
Ferry services (Norfolk Line) to north and south Ireland operate from Birkenhead.
Ferry services (P&O) to north and south Ireland operate from the Port of Liverpool.
Cruise liners also berth at the cruise liner terminal in Liverpool city centre.

Air
Manchester Airport is the region's main airport, one of the country's busiest, and serves many long distance destinations.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is smaller and serves mainly domestic and European destinations.

Notable features of the North-West megalopolis
Historical and influential cities
Liverpool, Manchester and Chester are all cities of historical importance. Liverpool is home to a large collection of Georgian and listed architecture, as well as being home to the largest number of museums and art galleries outside of London. Manchester's older architecture does not tend to take centre stage in the same way as in Liverpool, but it is also home to striking modern architecture and venues such as Urbis and the Imperial War Museum North. Manchester is the largest city and is seen as the regional capital (and sometimes referred to as 'the capital of the north' citation needed ). Chester is a Roman city, whose city centre is still surrounded by the Roman walls and also The Rows (a two-tier arrangement of businesses and shops).

The Stockbroker Belt
South of Manchester, otherwise known as Wilmslow and Alderley Edge. Places of natural beauty, but also homes of the rich and famous. Alderley Edge is one of the country's most expensive places to live. citation needed

Canal Street
Although each city has its own gay community, the centre of gravity pulls distinctly towards the world famous Canal Street area in Manchester. Dispute abounds between Manchester and Brighton (in the south-east of the country) as to which is the national 'gay capital'.

China Town
Both Manchester and Liverpool have a 'china town', however Liverpool's is Europe's oldest.

Salford Quays
In Manchester, home to the Lowry art gallery and theatre and the Imperial War Museum North. Soon to be home to Mediacity:UK, the northern home of the BBC.

Liverpool waterfront
Liverpool's historic waterfront skyline is a World Heritage Site and is comprised of the Albert Dock, the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.

Football (soccer) stadia
The megalopolis is home to Anfield (Liverpool), Goodison Park (Everton), Old Trafford (Manchester United), and the City of Manchester Stadium (Manchester City). A number of other high profile teams are also resident.

Rugby league
Rugby league is popular in the North-West, and sometimes more popular than football (soccer). Top teams include Widnes, Wigan, Warrington, St. Helens, and Salford.

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