Northern leaders unite to back new plans to revolutionise the North's railways

POLITICAL and business leaders from across the North of England made history by backing plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail; the Region's single biggest transport intervention since the Industrial Revolution. The board agreed to move forward and submit proposals to invest up to ₤39 billion in a modern Rail Network for the North and in a landmark moment, and with 1 voice, will call on Government to fully commit to the project. It paves the way for a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) to be submitted to Government. It will outline how the investment could increase the capacity, speed and resilience of the North's Rail Network. In doing so, passengers will experience faster and far more reliable journeys between the North's economies, as well as its largest international airport. With options including significant upgrades and new railway lines, work on the transformational network could start as early as 2024. In approving the case, the North's leaders issued clear, statutory advice to Government that will look at:-

► Signalling a full commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, ensuring long term capital investment is assigned in the next Spending Review;

► Committing to long term development funding to ensure Northern Powerhouse Rail develops toward detailed consent stage by the early 2020's, enabling 1st Phase construction from 2024;

► Consider a significantly strengthened role for Transport for the North in design and implementation of HS2 Phase 2b, TransPennine Route Upgrade and the Network Rail renewals programme in the North, ensuring all rail investment can be designed and delivered cohesively; and

► Recognise the critical role of Northern Powerhouse Rail in regeneration and growth, working with the North's 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships (NP11) to refresh the Northern Powerhouse Strategy and provide funding to develop Northern Powerhouse Rail Growth Strategies.

The document itself will remain confidential whilst considered by Government. It outlines several concepts that will form the basis of further detailed development over the next 18 months, funded by an additional ₤37 million allocated in last Autumn's Budget.

It features high level concepts aimed at fully integrating with HS2 including:-

► A new line linking Leeds and Manchester via Bradford, including the option for a Bradford City Centre Station.

► A new twin track line, linking Liverpool to HS2 and onwards to Manchester and other Northern cities, via Warrington and Manchester Airport.

► Significant upgrades and integration with HS2 linking Leeds and Sheffield.

► Significant upgrades between Sheffield, Leeds and Hull.

► Significant upgrades of the Hope Valley corridor between Manchester and Sheffield.

► Significant upgrades between Newcastle and Leeds.

► Hub concepts for Northern Powerhouse Rail Stations.

The decision came on the day that members also approved the:- 'Strategic Transport Plan,' a blueprint for investment in the North; set to be formally launched at an inaugural conference, in Sheffield, on Monday, 11 February 2019.

Tim Wood, Transport for the North's Northern Powerhouse Rail Director, said:- "Our leaders had a vision to connect the North by rail like never before. Today, we are a step closer to making that a reality. In Northern Powerhouse Rail, we have turned ambition and passion into a robust evidence base for investment of up to ₤39 billion. It provides viable options and solutions to the North's rail challenges. For too long, passengers and businesses have been held back by slower than average train speeds and poor connectivity between our City Regions. If we're going to re-balance the UK's economy, this needs to be tackled head on. There's no let up. While the Government considers this case, we will begin the more in depth design and feasibility work that will take us closer to a final preferred network.  If we get the right level of support and investment, the aim is to begin construction in 2024. With this 1st, high level business case, we put investment in the North's Rail Network firmly on the agenda. It lays bare our ambition. From the North, for the North."

Lisa Bowden, Head of Infrastructure in the North at Mace added that:- "The North brought the very 1st railways to the world and we're now on the cusp of a 21st Century transport led revolution that will empower the Region once again. This historic agreement demonstrates the power of having one voice amongst our leaders. Northern Powerhouse Rail would not only ensure people can travel more efficiently, it will also enable wider regeneration in our towns and cities and will underpin our growth in a Post Brexit economy."

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