£401m investment announced for rail upgrades in the Midlands and North

The Government has announced a £401m investment to give passengers and freight operators across the Midlands and North faster, greener and more reliable rail services.

Investment of £317m into the set-piece Transpennine route upgrade aims to boost punctuality, reliability and connectivity for passengers between York, Leeds and Manchester, and £69m of improvements to increase freight capacity between the Port of Southampton and the Midlands to boost economic growth has been announced.

Meanwhile, £15m from the New stations fund will also build new stations at Marsh Barton in Exeter, and White Rose and Thorpe Park in Leeds, to connect communities, support retail growth, improve access to employment and leisure.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Modernising and upgrading our vital transport links is critical to levelling up every part of this country, unleashing our economy and spreading opportunity as we build back better.

“Following closely after our reforms to deliver a modern, green and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation, this package of £401m investment will help deliver reliable, punctual services that passengers across the UK can count on.”