Transport Secretary announces £3bn Transpennine route upgrade to start next year

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced that he expects a £3bn programme of upgrades to the Transpennine route to begin from spring 2019.

Speaking in Leeds, Grayling said that whilst work is underway on the key route between Manchester, Leeds and York, he expects Network Rail to begin investing the £3bn into an ambitious rolling programme of works as soon as possible.

Grayling said: “I want to realise passenger benefits from the £3 billion we have ring-fenced for the Pennine route as fast as possible.

“Network Rail has already begun detailed designs, and provided us with options for the Transpennine Route Upgrade to meet the objectives we’ve set out – for journey times, capacity and reliability.

“That – in turn – has given us an opportunity to undertake the work in phases starting as soon as spring next year. This is not just about meeting rising demand for train travel. It’s about transforming journeys too.”

Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, said: “We welcome this announcement about upgrading the Transpennine route and we are keen to see the full details, especially the extent of the electrification proposed. It a testament to all the partners and stakeholders who have spoken with one voice about the need for this work to be carried out as a priority so we’d like to thank them for their efforts.

“This needs to be just the start of much-needed significant transport infrastructure investment in the north and we will continue to push for more to be delivered as quickly as possible to boost our economic growth and to improve the lives of millions of people.”

Grayling said he will work with local authorities along the Transpennine route to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the £3 billion investment, such as creating new stations to increase access to the railway and finding opportunities for housing development.