Northern Powerhouse Rail Improvements given the Green Signal by Labour

People in Northern communities, from Liverpool to Manchester and York to Newcastle, will soon be able to relish in the benefits of a 45bn upgrade to the Northern Powerhouse rail system, these improvements have been a long time coming, often forming part of empty promises by previous governments. Faster and more frequent journeys will be delivered across a phased approach that is intended to boost the economy, delivered through a combination of new lines and station improvements.

The programme will be delivered in stages, with early upgrades focused on routes linking Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield, before progressing to a new Liverpool–Manchester line and longer-term improvements connecting Manchester with cities across Yorkshire. - Government revives Northern Powerhouse Rail with phased £45bn plan for the North

For years the conservative government have provided empty promises, these have included "levelling up" which has fell flat on it's face, and the HS2 programme scrapped by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023. 1.1bn has now been allocated by Keir Starmer's government; Labour, for planning and preperation, and will see the North receive a number of upgrades delivered in a phased approach.

“I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home. But I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North. A reliable commute, a secure job, a thriving town centre - these are all things that everyone should expect. But over and over again, people in Northern communities, from Liverpool and Manchester to York and Newcastle, have been let down by broken promises.This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this Government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services. This investment is proof we’re putting our money where our mouth is, working with local leaders to deliver the transport links that will help working people do what they need to in life – getting to work, taking the kids to school or days out with the family.” - https://www.ukpol.co.uk/keir-starmer-2026-comments-on-the-governments-northern-powerhouse-rail-announcement/

Additionally there have also been a number of other promises for the "Bee Network", Greater Manchester's London style transport system:

The new "Tram-Train" that will connect, Bolton and Leigh to the Metrolink system via Atherton would be published next month. It comes after the government announced £2.5bn in extra transport funding for the tram network to extend to Stockport and see added stops in Bury, Manchester and Oldham. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now devised a new purpose for the line – to run tram-trains. Tram-train technology would see services run on both tram and train tracks. This scheme, if signed off by transport bosses, would see the tram-trains run between Manchester and Stockport along the Denton rail line. This vision would include links to Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Airport. If the idea were brought to life, it could connect thousands more residents to the integrated Bee Network.

We have collated a list of all the promises below in an easy-to-read list:

Metrolink Expansion

• Stockport: Extending trams to Stockport, with potential tram-train links to Hazel Grove, Denton, Reddish, and Manchester Airport.
• Wigan/Bolton/Leigh: Exploring links via the Salford line, potentially using tram-trains on existing rail lines (Atherton line).
• Airport Line: Completing the western leg to Manchester Airport.
• Calder Valley: Using this line to connect Oldham and Heywood to the tram network via Rochdale.
• Tram-Train Technology: Introducing tram-trains on existing lines like Hope Valley (Marple), Atherton (Manchester-Wigan), and Stockport-Ashton.

Northern Powerhouse Rail 

• NPR Phase 1 (Electrification): Electrifying Leeds-Bradford, Leeds-York, and Leeds-Sheffield routes. Northern Powerhouse Rail plans announced to grow productivity, with faster rail commutes across Yorkshire, better journeys to the North East and route upgrades. - Multi-billion-pound drive to transform rail and growth across Yorkshire and North East - GOV.UK
• NPR Phase 2 (Liverpool-Manchester): New route via Warrington and Manchester Airport to Piccadilly (aiming for 2037 opening). Greater Manchester leaders welcome transformational Northern Powerhouse Rail plans. - Greater Manchester leaders welcome transformational Northern Powerhouse Rail plans
• NPR Phase 3 (Connections): Improved links between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Bradford. - Britain revives Northern Powerhouse Rail programme - International Railway Journal
• Great North Rail Project (GNRP): A vast program for more trains, more seats, and faster, more reliable journeys. Estimated to cost £13bn ($18bn), the project is being implemented by Network Rail to enhance the reliability and capacity of rail services and reduce congestion and journey times across the rail network. - Great North Rail Project - Railway Technology
• New Rolling Stock: Northern railways are procuring 450 new train units, with services from 2030 onwards. The trains will feature a mix of electric, multi-modal (diesel/electric), and battery-powered models, ensuring greater efficiency and sustainability. - Northern's new trains | Northern
• Piccadilly Underground: A long-term ambition for a new underground station for Northern Powerhouse Rail services. As part of the other proposed upgrades, Greater Manchester and government will work together to explore how an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly would be a catalyst and enabler for major regeneration and economic growth in Greater Manchester and across the North, by unlocking land for redevelopment.

There is also a rumour that there will be a new and improved Birmingham–Manchester Line; The government signaled a long-term goal for a new line between Birmingham and Manchester to support northern rail links, though this is not a reinstatement of HS2 and would only begin after NPR is completed in the 2040s.

The scheme is part of the major government drive to boost growth and living standards across the north, helping to unlock around £40 billion of economic potential – growing the productivity of the 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to the UK economy.  - North West to benefit from multi-billion-pound rail investment - GOV.UK

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