Passengers and freight operators across the North and Midlands will see faster, greener and more reliable rail services, as the government announces a significant funding boost into the railways.
Investment of £317 million into the Transpennine Route Upgrade has been approved - meaning punctuality, reliability and connectivity for passengers between York, Leeds and Manchester should improve.
A total of £15 million will be spent on new stations at White Rose and Thorpe Park in Leeds, reports, as well as Marsh Barton in Exeter, to connect communities, support retail growth, improve access to employment and leisure, and support greener travel choices.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Modernising and upgrading our vital transport links is critical to levelling up every part of this country, unleashing our economy and spreading opportunity as we build back better.
“Following closely after our reforms to deliver a modern, green and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation, this package of £401 million investment will help deliver reliable, punctual services that passengers across the 海角视频 can count on.”
Transport ministers Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrew Stephenson set out how the total package will build on existing investments to improve rail connectivity, journey speeds and capacity across the country.
On Monday, the Rail Minister visited Kettering to see how government funding is already introducing more modern services for passengers.
Mr Heaton-Harris saw the completion of the first phase of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, which has successfully delivered the launch of East Midlands Railway’s first electric services.
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Cutting carbon emissions by 77 per cent on the route between Corby and London St Pancras, and running on a newly completed additional track between Kettering and Corby, the fleet delivers greener journeys, more late night and early morning services, and extra seats for passengers.
Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson will visit major works taking place along the Transpennine route in Yorkshire today, including at Leeds, Hambleton and Colton, to see electrification works that form an important part of the government’s agenda to achieve zero carbon by 2050.
Proposals for even more extensive electrification on the route are currently being considered.
The bulk of the new funding into the Transpennine Route Upgrade will be used to improve connectivity between Leeds, Manchester and York, and deliver electrification and upgrades between York and Church Fenton.
As one of the busiest stretches of track in the North, with over 100 trains passing through each day, these works will improve reliability and enable new and upgraded hybrid trains to run under electric power.
Beckie Hart, CBI Yorkshire & the Humber director, said: “This further investment of £317 million for the Transpennine Route Upgrade and funding for new stations at Thorpe Park and White Rose in Leeds is a vote of confidence in our region that will be welcomed by businesses of all sizes.
“Investments like this will reassure hard-pressed firms across the North that there is substance behind the government’s plan to level-up the country by improving connectivity and providing better, low emissions alternatives to car travel.”
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However, some have criticised the government's announcement on regional rail. Tan Dhesi MP, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister said: “Yet another rail infrastructure announcement with no timescales attached.
"Communities want action, not just warm words and more promises from a party that regularly dithers and delays.
“This announcement is no substitute for the long awaited and postponed integrated rail plan which must be published now and must involve a rolling programme of electrification, not delivering in dribs and drabs, which ends up costing the British taxpayer more.
“Instead of delivering on the improvements he pledged, is raising rail fares and cutting Network Rail budgets, whilst his flexible ticketing announcement lacks the detail to make it meaningful.”