A £589 million investment has been announced to start works to upgrade and electrify the Transpennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester.

This is the first stage of investment to streamline the northern route. The investment is for design and enabling works to take place.

This stage will include partial electrification of the route, a new through platform at Huddersfield, and about eight miles of extra four-tracking. The introduction of four tracks in some areas will allow fast trains to overtake slower ones and improve journey times and reliability for passengers across the North.

A new Northern Transport Acceleration Council will also be established to encourage better connection across Northern towns and cities. It will also give northern leaders a direct line to ministers to try to give passengers a reliable transport network.

Brian Dunsby from the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:

The council will be made up of mayors and council leaders and be chaired by Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary.

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