Government pledges £589m to improve Transpennine rail link
MORE TRACKS AND PLAN TO ELECTRIFY MOST OF THE ROUTE
THE Government has confirmed it will be releasing £589m to improve Yorkshire’s main rail link.
The fund aims to improve speed and efficiency on the slow and outdated Transpennine mainline between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds.
Under the scheme, the number of tracks at congested spots will be doubled from two to four, enabling fast trains to overtake slower rolling stock.
Most of the route will be electrified to reduce pollution and allow longer, more frequent electric trains to run from Manchester to York and the North East.
A new platform will be built at Leeds Station to accommodate the new electric link. A new committee, called the Northern Transport Acceleration Council and led by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, will be set up to give northern leaders a ‘direct line’ to ministers to accelerate transport projects.
Mr Shapps said: “People across the north rightly expect action, progress and ambition, and this government is determined to accelerate improvements as we invest billions to level up the region’s infrastructure.
“We are determined to build back better at pace, and this new council will allow us to engage collectively and directly with elected northern leaders to build the vital projects the region is crying out for.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “Levelling-up opportunity will be key in our recovery from coronavirus - and our long-term success will rely on having world-class infrastructure in all parts of the country.
“The Transpennine rail upgrade shows we are delivering on our promises to the north.”
Earlier this month, the government provided £1m for a business case to transform the Queensbury Tunnel into a cycling and pedestrian link between Halifax and Bradford.