Northern leaders have put forward recommendations to the government for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - including proposed network routes.
Transport for the North’s proposals for NPR - a network of new and upgraded rail lines for the North of England - include a new line from Liverpool to Manchester via Warrington, a line from Manchester to Leeds via Bradford, and plans to connect Sheffield to HS2 and on to Leeds.
The proposals will be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, the organisation said, with further decisions set for January.
It said work continuing jointly with the Department for Transport on an updated business case to be submitted in spring 2021.
Tim Wood, Northern Powerhouse Rail director, said delivery of job-creating infrastructure projects like NPR need to be “a critical component” to building back better following the coronavirus pandemic.
“The preferred network would be transformational for the North’s economy and allow Northern workers access to enhanced opportunities through a wider jobs market.
“We’ll now enter discussions with government and look at ways in which the number of remaining options can be further shortlisted and delivery accelerated for the sake of the North’s communities and future.”
The recommendations come ahead of a new report - the government’s Integrated Rail Plan - setting out the long-term investment plan for rail upgrades in the North, due to be published at the end of this year.
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The report is expected to recommend how investment in rail projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 Phase 2b, and the TransPennine Route Upgrade will be delivered.
Mr Wood added: “The Integrated Rail Plan is a significant moment to secure a long-term, funded infrastructure pipeline for the North.
“Transport for the North has been consistent that this should include HS2 and NPR in full and deliver the full ambition to transform the North.”