Will Northern Powerhouse Rail Get Us Back On Track?

Image Credit: gmchamber.co.uk

Just last week (Wednesday 14 January), the Government announced plans to launch a £45bn three-phase programme of upgrades to the UK rail system with the launch of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).  

The long-term strategy, which is set to start with a £1.1bn investment in the planning, development and design of the scheme, has been explicitly developed with the objective to improve travel across the North and North West of England.  

During phase one, which is to be delivered in 2030, there will be upgrades and electrification of lines from Leeds to Sheffield, Leeds to York and Leeds to Bradford. In addition, there will be station improvements, including an £11m upgrade to Rotherham Gateway station.   

Phase two will see a new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester, with three new stations also proposed at Manchester Airport, Manchester Picadilly and upgrades to Warrington Bank Quay. 

The final phase will see improvements to connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, and options are being explored for Manchester to Bradford.  

This news couldn’t have come sooner for commuters and regular travellers between these towns and cities. What’s even more encouraging is that through raising the productivity of the five largest cities to the national average, the improvements could generate up to £40bn1 a year to be added to the UK economy.  

While this isn’t the first transport announcement that has been proposed to positively impact the North, with the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) of £11bn previously announced, it is a significant turning point for the regions.  

Taking the TRU as an example, with figures suggesting that this programme will create over 5,000 jobs, support the development of 6,500 new homes, and deliver £570m in funding to colleges to expand training facilities, we can see how these figures would be significantly multiplied given the infrastructure required to deliver NPR.  

With the North economy accounting for one fifth of the UK GVA, approximately £476bn, this is certainly welcome news, not least at it provides opportunity for the post-industrial communities within the regions.  

As an organisation that openly champions the untapped economic potential of city regions and post-industrial communities in the North, we welcome this news. 

Founder and CEO of The Sustainability Community, Kate Hutchinson, comments: “This announcement marks a real turning point for the North. Firstly, it will provide towns and cities outside of London with the sustainable infrastructure needed to increase productivity, and therefore contributions to the UK economy; and secondly, it delivers real opportunity for post-industrial communities.  

“In both instances, we are a champion and want to endorse and support any programmes that will deliver the foundations we need to positively impact the economy, while giving everyone the chance to meet with their potential.  

“Recognising the value that transport brings, and the significant difference it can make, we hope to share updates about NPR and TRU with our audience during the Future Cities and Transport UK 2026 conference.  

“Set to take place on Wednesday 8 July at Hilton City Centre in Liverpool, we will be using this national summit to provide a platform for leaders, innovators, policy makers, investors and city builders to redefine what thriving, equitable, and future-ready urban environments look like.”   

Interested in partnering us on these events? You’ll find more information here.