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:
“We welcome any investment in the north it will be beneficial for commuters from Harrogate. We need the lines electrified around Harrogate, so I welcome announcements of this type but we’ll have to see the lines included in works as further announcements are made. A northern council is a positive step as long as they listen to the northern business community and local lobby groups.”
The council will be made up of mayors and council leaders and be chaired by Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary.
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The plans also include upgrades to replace thousands of diesel lorry journeys with electric freight trains.
This investment comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed over £720m investment in local transport in the North through the Transforming Cities Fund.
