The UK government on Wednesday (14 January) outlined plans to “drastically improve” rail connectivity across the north of England, confirming funding to revive the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative that began more than a decade ago.
The multi-billion-pound Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) scheme will be delivered in phases, according to the UK’s department of transport, starting with upgrades to lines between Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield, which will be delivered “in the 2030s”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that, during this initial phase, the government will also develop a business case to revive the dormant Leamside Line (stretching from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham) to help ensure services extend to Newcastle.
The second phase of the NPR will see the development of a new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport, while a final phase will see improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, and “explore options” for connections between Manchester and Bradford.
The government on Wednesday confirmed £1.1 billion in funding for planning and development work, but shied away from confirming a comprehensive budget and development timeline for the project. Instead, it stated funding for the project would be capped at £45 billion, citing “lessons” in recent years from the HS2 project, which was dogged by delays and gross overspending.
The Northern Powerhouse project was first conceived in 2014 by then-chancellor George Osborne, but promised investments were later scaled back. Noting this history, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday told the BCC that the resurrected plan “is actually going to happen”.
Meanwhile, Alexander, in a statement, said “this new era of investment will reignite the economy across Liverpool and Manchester” with “more reliable and more frequent trains” across the northern region.
Andrew Clarke, commercial director at the Business Travel Association, welcomed the announcement, but stressed “we need delivery, not just promises”.
“Businesses want clarity on integration and realistic timelines, not another decade of uncertainty,” said Clarke. He added that “a link between Birmingham and Manchester will support face-to-face interactions essential for relationship-building, facilitate the work of professionals across sectors, and address the 62 per cent of business trips that happen domestically.”
American Express Global Business Travel executive VP, SME, Jason Geall, also praised the decision as beneficial for business travellers.
“Better connectivity between the UK’s major economic hubs outside of London is essential to unlocking balanced, sustainable economic growth. Business travellers want to choose rail where they can because it allows them to be more productive while on the move. To make it a credible alternative and capitalise on that demand, UK rail travel must be more reliable, affordable and connected,” he said.