TfN submits Northern Powerhouse Rail plan

Upgrades and new lines now seek Government approval and funding.

TRANSPORT for the North has made a formal submission to the Government for investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail, urging there should be a commitment to the new lines and major upgrades proposed, including the complete HS2 project to Leeds with separate access to the East Coast Main Line.

If the plan is approved, new lines are to be built between Manchester and Liverpool via Warrington, and between Manchester and Leeds via the centre of Bradford. There would also be a major upgrade to the Hope Valley route between Sheffield and Manchester, and authority given to provide the HS2 cut-off line to serve Sheffield. The restoration of the Woodhead route has not been proposed.

Routes from Hull to Leeds and Sheffield would be upgraded, as well as the restoration of the Leamside line in County Durham to boost East Coast Main Line capacity by providing a diversionary route. This is part of a proposal for a significant upgrade of Tees Valley services and additional capacity at Darlington station. All the new and upgraded infrastructure would be electrified.

BEYOND THE REGION

No immediate decision is expected from the Government, which is assessing the requirements of a national Integrated Rail Plan as well as the Union Connectivity Review.

Among other things, improved connectivity between North Wales and North West England has been identified as essential to improving the economic situation in coastal towns served by rail between Chester and Holyhead. This involves the upgrade of the line between Chester and Warrington used by trains to Liverpool (via the Halton Curve) and Manchester (via the Chat Moss route), and a £60 million investment at Chester to improve the station facilities and track layout.

There is also a new focus of the role of the mid-Cheshire line from Chester to Manchester via Northwich and Altrincham. Congestion in central Manchester, and the lack of paths for trains using the Castlefield corridor, has resulted in Network Rail proposing greater use of the route. It also has the potential to provide a new connection to Manchester Airport, as a spur of little more than three miles from Mobberley would allow trains to run to Chester and North Wales without the need to first use Manchester Piccadilly.