Northern leaders have agreed an initial preferred way forward for a new railway network that will transform the region’s economy which includes the building of a new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester through the centre of Warrington.
Following a Transport for the North meeting today, elected mayors, council and business leaders have recommended the Government commits to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) – a network of new and significantly upgraded rail lines for the North of England – including their initial route preferences.
They say securing funding and commitment for the project is a critical component of the Government’s desire to ‘level up’ economic performance of the North with the rest of the country.
The network spans from Liverpool to Hull, Sheffield and the North East, and would begin construction in 2024/5. It also links fully with HS2, with shared track, stations and junctions in parts.
Other proposals include significant upgrades and journey time improvements to the Hope Valley route between Manchester and Sheffield,connecting Sheffield to HS2 and on to Leeds,significant upgrades and electrification of the rail lines from Leeds and Sheffield to Hull and significant upgrades of the East Coast Mainline from Leeds to Newcastle (via York and Darlington) and restoration of the Leamside line
This initial preferred way forward will now be sent to Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, with further decisions set for January and work continuing jointly with the Department for Transport on an updated business case to be submitted in spring 2021.
Tim Wood, Northern Powerhouse Rail Director, said:
“This is a significant moment for Northern Powerhouse Rail, we have an initial preferred way forward for a rail network that will deliver thousands of jobs, cut carbon emissions and slash journey times between the North’s towns, cities and beyond.
“With the need to build back better following the Covid-19 pandemic, delivery of long-term, job-creating infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail need to be a critical component of the agenda. The preferred network would be transformational for the North’s economy and allow Northern workers access to enhanced opportunities through a wider jobs market.
“We’ll now enter discussions with Government and look at ways in which the number of remaining options can be further shortlisted and delivery accelerated for the sake of the North’s communities and future.”
