Northern Powerhouse Rail Progress As Recommendations Made To Government
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Transport for the North.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Northern leaders have agreed an initial preferred way forward for a new railway network that will transform the region’s economy.
And these are the rail improvements proposed.
- A new line to be constructed from Liverpool to Manchester via the centre of Warrington, Read more…
- A new line to be constructed from Manchester to Leeds via the centre of Bradford. Read more…
- Significant upgrades and journey time improvements to the Hope Valley route between Manchester and Sheffield. Read more…
- Connecting Sheffield to HS2 and on to Leeds. Read more…
- Significant upgrades and electrification of the rail lines from Leeds and Sheffield to Hull. Read more…
- Significant upgrades of the East Coast Mainline from Leeds to Newcastle (via York and Darlington) and restoration of the Leamside Line. Read more…
The Read more links point to my initial thoughts.
No more detail is given, but the list is followed by this paragraph.
The move comes ahead of the much-anticipated publication of a new report that will set out long-term investment plans for rail upgrades in the North. The Government’s Integrated Rail Plan – due to be published by the end of this year – is expected to recommend how investment in rail projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 Phase 2b, and the TransPennine Route Upgrade (a separate project) will be delivered.
I am waiting for the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan with interest.
The Anonymous Widower 
I too will be interested in seeing the Integrated Rail Plan, but the NIC have said that it will provide a ‘menu’ of choices for government. I think this is sensible, as large sums of money are involved here and priorities need to be established, but it means there’ll be a further delay while ministers make their minds up – or alternatively adopt their usual policy of kicking the can down the road. Also due by the end of the year are the DfT’s overall Decarbonisation Plan, and Network Rail’s final Traction Decarbonisation Strategy. And of course we’re still waiting for the Williams Report to be published.
Comment by Peter Robins | November 20, 2020 |
I am drawing a few maps of likely routes, so expect more posts from about midday.
Comment by AnonW | November 20, 2020 |
media reports today state that the proposals will be formally approved by TfN board in January, and a business case submitted in the spring. So this is nowhere near the detailed proposals that I thought would be submitted. Much of the scheme is reasonably clear, but what’s unclear to me is: a) how to get through Warrington; b) how to get from Man to Bradford/Leeds; c) how to route through Leeds given that HS2’s current plans are for a new station at right-angles to the current one.
Comment by Peter Robins | November 20, 2020 |