Time to build a world class line

Shappsbackstrans-Pennineplan

THE FACT that the new Northern Transport Acceleration Council is endorsed by senior Tory and Labour politicians underlines its importance – and significance – as the Government invests £589m in long-overdue transPennine rail improvements.

Just as The Yorkshire Post has, for two years, been working with rival newspapers to end the daily delays on the region’s railways, it is heartening to see Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, give their personal backing.

Both these politicians – and others – have become frustrated by the pedestrian rate of progress. It is nearly 10 years since this full electrification was first promised, and if this new body cuts red tape by giving Northern leaders direct access to Ministers, then so be it.

After all, the overhaul of the Leeds to Manchester line will only be completed if every element of the railway industry, plus Transport for the North and local councils along the route, start working together and share the urgency being applied by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister.

Unlike his predecessor Chris Grayling who he, thankfully, replaced a year ago, Mr Shapps accepts that there has been a “transport deficit” in which this region has suffered “chronic underfunding” in comparison to the South East. He says so in today’s newspaper.

He also believes electrification is the way forward as additional track is installed to speed up journey times – and that quality matters. Encouragingly, he does not want the route to be “an also-ran in comparison with the East and West Coast Mainlines”.

Strong words, Mr Shapps can expect to be judged by them. But so, too, will TfN and others if they still put their own agendas before the region’s greater good and this chance to get rail services back on track here.