The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has welcomed a £45 billion commitment from the Government to invest in Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Improvements to York’s railway station to boost capacity are central to the plans, which are set to be the biggest investment in travel in the North for a generation.
It will unlock faster and more frequent trains across the North, better connecting our region with Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Bradford.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled the plans today in Leeds alongside representatives from the rail industry and Mayors from across the North, including Mayor David Skaith.
Earlier this year, he worked with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Lord Blunkett to set out their White Rose Plan for Rail, designed to reverse decades of underinvestment in transport across Yorkshire.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“This is a strong endorsement of the vision we set out in our White Rose Plan for Rail. For too long the North has missed out on investment, but this £45 billion commitment changes that.
“By investing in capacity upgrades at York’s station, Northern Powerhouse Rail puts York at the heart of a modern transport network for the North. Unlocking better and more reliable services for everyone who lives in, works in or visits York puts our city on an even stronger footing to grow the regional and national economy.
“We know there will be challenges ahead and our local rail priorities remain just that. Today’s announcement strengthens our argument and my commitment to improving connectivity between York and the coast, ensuring all our communities get the most out of improved Northern connectivity and growth.”
The Government’s plan also identifies a Northern Growth Corridor stretching from Liverpool to York, which ministers say could rival Europe’s most successful industrial hubs.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
“If economic growth is the challenge, investment and renewal is the solution. That’s why we’re reversing years of chronic underinvestment in the North.
“Our transformative plans will create jobs, build homes and unlock opportunities for businesses to invest. That’s how we deliver economic growth, a renewed Britain and more money in working people’s pockets.”
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:
“A reliable commute, a secure job, a thriving town centre – these are all things that everyone should expect. But over and over again people in Northern communities, from Liverpool and Manchester to York and Newcastle have been let down by broken promises.
“This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt.
“That’s why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services.
The first phase of the NPR programme will focus on improving connections between Leeds and York, alongside upgrades for Sheffield and Bradford.
This will be supported by £1.1 billion over the current Spending Review period to accelerate design and planning work. The investment is expected to unlock tens of thousands of jobs across the North.
