UK Government Announces Major Rail Investment in North England

The UK government has unveiled a significant funding package aimed at improving transport infrastructure across the North of England.

This initiative places a strong emphasis on modernising key rail routes, while also supporting improvements in bus and road networks to enhance overall transport links.

The government has committed nearly 1.7 billion GBP for local transport improvements in the North this year. This includes:

• 415 million GBP for rail upgrades across the Pennines, focusing on the key route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York
• 270 million GBP for bus services, aiming to enhance reliability and accessibility
• 330 million GBP for road maintenance to improve overall transport infrastructure.

The investment is part of the government’s broader strategy to support economic growth in the North. Measures include:

West Yorkshire Mass Transit System : Progressing towards the next stage of its business case, expected in Autumn 2025.

Merseyrail Expansion : A new station in the Baltic Triangle, with construction commencing in Autumn 2025 and completion anticipated by Spring 2028.

Bury Interchange Redevelopment : An £80 million project to enhance bus and tram connectivity in Greater Manchester.

The government has also allocated funding to improve key rail routes.  The TransPennine Route Upgrade  is a central part of this plan, aiming to increase reliability and reduce journey times. Once completed, this upgrade will:

• Reduce travel time between Manchester and Leeds from 50 to 42 minutes
• Increase service frequency to up to six fast trains per hour
• Shorten the journey from Manchester to York by ten minutes

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

For too long, the North has been left behind and relied on a crumbling transport system that’s not fit to serve the great towns and cities it’s home to.

The Government’s Plan for Change will end that and schemes like the TransPennine Route Upgrade will bolster the region’s neglected potential and make travelling between these historic Northern towns and cities quicker, easier and greener.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasised the need to modernise transport infrastructure to support the region’s economy.

Speaking at a factory in the North, he highlighted the importance of reliable transport links for industries such as fintech in Leeds, life sciences in Liverpool, and film production in Bradford.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity. But for too long, it has been held to ransom by a Victorian-era transport system which has stifled its potential. I lived in Leeds for years, I get that this has real-world impacts – missed appointments, children late to school, work meetings rescheduled – all leading to insecurity and instability for working people.

My government won’t stand by and watch. We are rolling up our sleeves, and today’s downpayment for growth is a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries.

This initiative is positioned as a long-term commitment to improving transport infrastructure in the North, with an emphasis on local decision-making and investment in economic growth. The government intends to work closely with regional mayors and transport authorities to ensure that funding is used effectively to deliver tangible improvements for residents and businesses.