Dismay as city excluded from £45bn rail upgrade plans

NO CHANGE: Hull’s Paragon Station. Picture credit: Nigel Thompson

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell has described a major Government announcement on northern rail investment as a “let down” for the region as the city’s hopes for rail electrification were again overlooked.

The Department for Transport last night announced plans for up to £45bn of investment in rail for northern England under a revived Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project.

But although the plans will see the scheme “prioritise” upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford to “transform commutes” in the first phase, and a new line connecting Liverpool and Manchester in the second, there is no change for lines in and out of Hull.

The third phase will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, and “explore options” for Manchester to Bradford.   

MPs and business leaders have been calling for the electrification of the line between Hull and Selby for years, describing it as vital for the region’s economic prospects.

But a graphic outlining each phase of NPR, which includes Hull at the end of the map, says only that train services in and out of the city will “continue on existing infrastructure”.

Mayor Campbell said: “Today’s Northern Powerhouse Rail announcement is another let down for Hull and East Yorkshire.

“The Humber is an important economic hub, home to vital energy projects and growing businesses. Our ports handle 17 per cent of the nation’s trade and are worth billions to the local and national economy, but they’re being held back.

“Modern, reliable rail links aren’t just about faster journeys for passengers. It’s the key to unlocking growth, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for people who live and work here. Businesses rely on efficient transport to move goods and connect with markets. Commuters and young people need better links to jobs, education and training.

“If the government is serious about growth and levelling up the North, Hull and East Yorkshire must be included. But it’s clear that this Labour government only backs areas with a Labour mayor – everyone else is left behind.”

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am deeply disappointed by the Government and our mayor over the latest Northern Powerhouse Rail announcement.

“Labour MPs have long promised investment for Hull and this yet again feels like warm words and no action. What’s worse is our Reform UK mayor’s failure to shout up for Hull.

“As council leader, I’ll keep calling for real action to improve our railways and I urge other local leaders to do the same. We’ve had years of being forgotten; we now need action.”

Andy Comfort, the locally based Features Editor at RAIL magazine, said the region had been “hard done by”.

“What Hull was promised in 2018 and what Hull is likely to get are poles apart,” he said.

“The 2018 plan spoke of an upgraded line from Hull across to Leeds to link up with a new high-speed line through Bradford to Manchester.

“In this week’s announcement, Hull’s only mention is that Northern Powerhouse Rail trains would use existing infrastructure to serve Hull, which isn’t part of the project, and that there would be more trains beyond Leeds to destinations such as Manchester Airport.

“I think Hull and East Yorkshire have been hard done by here. Much has been promised and it looks like little will be delivered east of the Micklefield junction (on the Hull line to the east of Leeds).”

He added: “The railway between Selby and Brough includes the longest straight track in the UK. The maximum speeds are 65-90 mph. For a much lower cost than some other aspects of NPR and the TransPennine Route Upgrade, my view is that could be electrified and upgraded to raise line speeds, to say 100-125 mph – that would make a real difference, cutting journey times and increasing capacity.”

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

“This new era of investment will not just speed up journeys, it will mean new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.”