Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has declared her ambition for communities across northern England to begin experiencing the tangible advantages of the long-promised Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) scheme by the early 2030s. The Labour MP for Leeds West and Pudsey made the announcement during a visit to the Neville Hill TrainCare Depot in Leeds, framing the massive infrastructure project as both a political priority and a personal mission.
A Personal Pledge for the North
Speaking directly to the historical context of delayed projects, Ms Reeves stated that for her, the issue is deeply personal. "For a long time, the north of England and my constituents have been let down and been fed false promises," she said. "I'm determined that we are now finally going to deliver, and that this Labour Government is going to deliver what previous governments have promised but failed to get over the line." She emphasised a desire for incremental benefits, adding, "By the early 2030s I want people to feel the benefits of these investments. I don't want to have to wait until the whole line is built for anyone to get any benefit."
The Phased Plan and Funding Structure
The Treasury has outlined a three-phase plan for NPR, backed by a significant financial commitment. An initial £1.1 billion has been allocated for development and design work to create a detailed delivery plan with specific timings. The overall project will operate under a funding cap of £45 billion, though this could be supplemented by local contributions, such as increased revenue from business rates.
The construction will proceed in distinct stages:
- Phase One: Focuses on upgrading existing lines to improve connections between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York, and Leeds and Bradford.
- Phase Two: Will create a new route between Liverpool and Manchester via Manchester Airport and Warrington, utilising a mix of new and existing track.
- Phase Three: Aims to deliver better eastward connections from Manchester to Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and York.
Broader Transport Strategy and Context
The announcement also included intentions for a new railway line between Birmingham and Manchester. The Treasury was clear that this would not be a reinstatement of the scrapped HS2 extension, which was cancelled by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023. No opening timescale was given for this line, but it is confirmed it will not be completed until after NPR.
First proposed in 2014 with an original vision of a new line from Liverpool to Hull, NPR now forms the centrepiece of the Government's forthcoming Northern Growth Strategy. This wider strategy, due to be published in the spring, aims to spur better jobs, more homes, and increased investment across the region.
