Northern rail priorities statement: five priorities for immediate action and investment
Article
The Northern Economic Futures Commission, convened and supported by IPPR North, calls for five points of action and investment to maximise the economic potential of rail in the north of England, especially on the back of already agreed HS2 developments between London and Birmingham.
Alongside skills and innovation, transport infrastructure is crucial for ensuring that the northern economy is the driver of national prosperity that it has the potential to be. Infrastructure investment can give an immediate boost to struggling local economies as well as providing a basis for sustainable economic growth.
The five northern rail priories are:
- Northern Hub: a network of rail connections and improvements through central Manchester with improved capacity out to Liverpool, Blackpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester Airport.
- HS2-Midland Mainline Connection: a Birmingham-Derby connection to hook up HS2 with the existing Midland main line to York, thereby allowing the North to reap immediate rewards from significant investment in HS2.
- Extending transpennine electrification: existing plans will see the TransPennine line electrified between Manchester and York - now this is the right time to extend this programme to include connecting lines to Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Hull, which also maximises the benefits of connections to the existing East Coast main line to Newcastle.
- Improved rolling stock: to increase cost efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and create manufacturing jobs in the region.
- Station capacity improvements at Leeds, Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street stations: to boost train and passenger numbers and encourage a preferential shift from road to rail.
Related items
State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North
This year’s State of the North report highlights how regional inequality exacerbates the growing challenges facing many young northerners.The transport challenge for low-income households
Many people living on low incomes in the UK are limited in their ability to access the building blocks of a good life because of poor transport provision.Towards universal opportunity for young people
Outlining a vision for young people which could increase social mobility while also reducing inequality and disadvantage, so that every young person has the opportunity to build a decent life.