The government has unveiled a long-awaited plan to revitalize Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), setting out a phased program of rail investment that it says will transform connectivity in the north of England and deliver billions of pounds of economic growth.
The multi-billion dollar scheme, first proposed more than a decade ago, aims to deliver faster journeys, more frequent services and improved capacity between the north’s major cities through a mix of new rail lines, improved routes and upgraded stations. Ministers say the project could contribute up to £40 billion to the UK economy over time by improving labor mobility and encouraging private investment.
Initially, £1.1 billion was allocated for planning and preparatory work. Construction is scheduled to begin after 2030. The program will be implemented in phases, with initial upgrades focusing on routes between Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield, before a new Liverpool-Manchester route and longer-term improvements linking Manchester with cities across Yorkshire.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the plans represented a break with years of unfulfilled promises. “The cycle of paying lip service to the North’s potential must end,” he said. “This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change.”
NPR will be at the heart of a wider growth strategy for the north, due to be published in the spring, which aims to link transport investment with housing, skills and regional development. Ministers believe improved rail connectivity is vital to creating a unified, more dynamic labor market across the North, closer in size and opportunity to London and the South East.
Transportation Minister Heidi Alexander said the program was designed to address decades of underinvestment. “This new era of investment will not only accelerate travel, but also create new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to the lives of millions of people,” she said.
Early priorities include upgrades to key stations in Leeds, Sheffield and York, as well as fresh impetus for a long-discussed new train station in Bradford, which local leaders say could significantly expand access to jobs and training for younger workers. A new station at Rotherham Gateway is also planned, while the Government confirmed it would pursue the business model for reopening the Leamside line in the North East.
Although ministers have set a cap of £45 billion for central government funding, they have not committed to spending beyond 2029, leaving future phases dependent on detailed planning, public finances and potential contributions from local authorities. The Department for Transport said this cautious approach reflected lessons learned from the troubled HS2 program, which was plagued by delays, cost overruns and significantly reduced scope.
Industry insiders have broadly welcomed the renewed focus on the north but warned that credibility depends on implementation. Rob Morris, joint chief executive of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, said the plans “look very real” and could deliver productivity improvements, but warned of a repeat of the “stop-start” funding cycles seen under previous governments.
Business groups also emphasized the importance of certainty. Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said the proposals offered “a clear path to higher productivity growth”, adding that improved rail connections would enable talent and businesses to operate across the region in a way that is not currently possible.
However, opposition figures accused ministers of falling behind on delivery. Conservatives said the lack of firm timelines and long-term funding is turning NPR into another revised promise rather than a transformative project.
For cities and investors in the north, the next test will be whether the government can move from vision to implementation – and ultimately deliver the rail connectivity that has been promised since the Northern Powerhouse was first conceived.
