The rivalry between the two great cities of the North West runs deep - but when something serious requires unity we stand together.

Today the Manchester Evening News joins forces with the Liverpool ECHO, to speak with one voice.

In an unprecedented move, our editors are calling on the government to bring our two cities closer - by building a new railway line

We are less than 40 miles apart, but our Victorian infrastructure is reaching its capacity, making us feel much further away.

It is ludicrous that travelling from Liverpool to Manchester and vice-versa is often a slow and frustrating experience.

It is ridiculous that it is a journey that commuters cannot........

© Manchester Evening News