The Transport Secretary has announced a further £317 million will be invested to continue improvement works on the Transpennine rail link, connecting Greater Manchester with Leeds and York.
The investment will complement the £589 million confirmed for the project last year. It is hoped the improvement will boost punctuality, reliability and connectivity for passengers on the key rail link between Greater Manchester and Leeds: two of the North’s largest economies and centres of population.
The route is one of the busiest stretches of track in the region, with over 100 trains crossing the Pennines every day; works will deliver electrification along the line to allow for greener electric and hybrid services to use the route. Similar upgrades to the Midland Mainline which completed this year have reduced carbon emissions on the route between Leicestershire and St Pancras by 77%.
Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson said:
Additional investment into the Transpennine Route Upgrade will cut delays and create a more punctual network, with electrification helping deliver greener journeys on this key route.
Only by investing in, modernising and expanding our railways can we provide passengers with the reliable and resilient services they expect, and create a transport network that is fit for the future.
The investment into the Manchester to Leeds rail link was announced alongside additional investments nationwide into the railways, including improving freight capacity from the Port of Southampton and delivery of new stations in Leeds and Exeter.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
Modernising and upgrading our vital transport links is critical to levelling up every part of this country, unleashing our economy and spreading opportunity as we build back better.
Following closely after our reforms to deliver a modern, green and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation, this package of £401 million investment will help deliver reliable, punctual services that passengers across the UK can count on.
Responding to the investment commitment, Tim Wood, Interim Chief Executive at Transport for the North, commented:
It’s great to see the next round of funding unlocked for major work on this route to commence at pace. It will deliver improvements both east and west of Leeds with works this summer set to support future electrification, an increase in train speeds across the Pennines and upgrades to the aging infrastructure for the benefit of passengers.
“This is really welcomed news and a key part of Transport for the North’s investment programme to transform our rail network. However, we still need clarity on the full proposal for the Transpennine Route Upgrade and we will work with Government collaboratively to achieve more capacity and resilience in this major rail artery.”