Chancellor and Transport Secretary confirm funding for connectivity improvements across the North

The Chancellor and Transport Secretary have confirmed funding to progress with two transport projects connecting Greater Manchester with other cities in the North.

During a visit to Manchester on 7th November, Rachel Reeves and Louise Haigh committed to continued funding for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) of rail improvements between Manchester, Leeds and York, as well as the £250 million improvements to the A57 between Manchester and Sheffield. Continued funding for the projects will provide critical connectivity between the biggest economic centres in the North, while supporting everyday transport within the towns and cities in between.

The TRU will see the 70-mile railway between Manchester and York fully electrified, cutting emissions by 87,000 tonnes of carbon, and cut journey times and increase capacity for passengers. Upgrades to the first leg of the route between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge have already completed, with electric trains already running on services. 5,000 people in the North are currently working on the project, including over 300 apprentices.

Works on the long awaited A57 Link Road upgrade in Tameside will start in the coming weeks, giving certainty to road users that the scheme and its benefits will finally start to be delivered. Improvements aim to reduce slow journey times, congestion and rat-running around surrounding roads which has stunted economic growth across the region.  

Once this £250 million upgrade is complete, journey times between Manchester and Sheffield will drastically decrease. Local communities will benefit from not only better connectivity, but also reduced noise and pollution.

The scheme will see the creation of two new links roads and will be integral to growing the region’s economy, making jobs more accessible but also accelerating the delivery of goods.   

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“Investment in our transport infrastructure is vital to delivering our growth mission. Without improvements to our roads and rail we won’t be able to create jobs and boost business, which is why I prioritised projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the long awaited A57 upgrade in the Budget last week.

“Securing the delivery of these two important schemes brings our key Northern economic centres closer together. This Government is ending fourteen years of neglect of the north, instead bolstering the region’s immense growth power to benefit the whole country.”

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

“Reliable, well-connected transport links are crucial to driving up productivity and unlocking opportunities for jobs, education and businesses across our towns and cities.

“But for too long, the North’s transport infrastructure has been neglected.

“That’s why I am delighted the Chancellor’s first Budget secured the delivery of two multi-billion-pound projects that will be vital for rail and road journeys across the North of England.

“I look forward to working on the successful delivery of both schemes that will make a huge different to people’s everyday journeys – making travelling between these great towns and cities quicker, easier and greener.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“This major investment in our roads and railways will mean better connections between Greater Manchester and key towns and cities across the Pennines.

“After years of failed promises, it’s a real statement of intent from this new government that will provide quicker, more reliable journeys for millions of people, and help to unlock the enormous potential of the North as an engine for growth.”

Andrew Haines, Network Rail Chief Executive, said:

“This vital project will transform connectivity across the north delivering a significant economic boost for the region, and it’s going well. Passengers and communities alike have been hugely supportive and understanding as we work night and day to make our plans a reality.

“Today’s visit provided both the Chancellor and Transport Secretary with an opportunity to see first-hand the substantial progress being made by our teams along the 70-miles of Transpennine Route, including the electrification upgrades between Manchester and Stalybridge. We welcome their full support on this major transformation project.”

Alongside guaranteeing the start of works on the A57, last week’s Budget saw further funding committed to transform local road networks; providing a £500 million cash increase for local highways maintenance to support everyday journeys, and to help local authorities fix up to an additional one million potholes every year.