Trainsformation

Northern Powerhouse Rail finally on track to bring £40bn of benefits | New lines between biggest cities and improvements to other services.

- ALEXANDER BROWN

AFTER years of broken Tory promises, Keir Starmer has vowed his government will finally deliver a new era of rail in the North.

The much-delayed Northern Powerhouse Rail - first pledged in 2014 and repeatedly postponed by the Tories will feature new rail lines to and from Manchester, and major upgrades to infrastructure in West Yorkshire.

Ministers are also expected to promise a new version of HS2's axed leg between Birmingham and Manchester.

The Prime Minister said Northern communities had been "let down by broken promises" for too long, adding: "This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt." The £45billion pledge comes after years of misery for rail users, with figures last year showing a record low in reliability with more than one in 25 trains cancelled. Statistics also show almost 7,000 trains were cancelled in 2024 as a result of floods, with passengers facing 130 days worth of delays.

Commuters complain of delays, overcrowding and cancellations every day while paying the most expensive fares in Europe.

In a vow to end the misery for travellers, Mr Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home.

"But I've seen first hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North. A reliable commute, a secure job, a thriving town centre - these are all things that everyone should expect.