A major new phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) has been unveiled, setting out a long-term programme of rail investment designed to boost productivity, improve connectivity and unlock economic growth across Yorkshire and the North East.
Announced today, the plans commit £1.1bn to accelerate planning, development and design work, laying the foundations for faster, more frequent and more reliable rail services through the 2030s. The programme forms a central pillar of the government’s wider growth ambitions for the North, with improved rail links seen as critical to raising productivity and living standards.
The first phase of NPR will prioritise upgrades and electrification on key corridors between Leeds and Sheffield, Leeds and York, and Leeds and Bradford. These schemes are intended to transform everyday commutes, tackle overcrowding and significantly reduce journey times between major northern cities. Work will also progress on the business case for reopening the Leamside Line, ensuring NPR services extend fully into the North East and reach Newcastle.
Alongside route upgrades, the plans place strong emphasis on stations as engines of regeneration. Investment is earmarked for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, supporting large-scale redevelopment proposals expected to unlock tens of thousands of new homes and jobs. Bradford station will also move forward, positioning the city more firmly at the heart of the northern rail network.
In South Yorkshire, more than £11m of local transport funding has been agreed to develop a new Rotherham Gateway station. The scheme aims to cut journey times to Leeds and support wider regeneration ambitions in the town.
The North East is set to benefit from improved onward connectivity, with regular services to Newcastle via Darlington and Durham. This builds on recent £4bn investment in the East Coast Main Line, which has already delivered a new timetable and around 60,000 additional seats each week.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the announcement marked a decisive shift after years of underinvestment. She said the programme would not only speed up journeys but also create jobs, support new housing and help northern cities realise their economic potential. Improved stations in Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford, she added, would reflect the central role rail plays in the northern economy.
Industry and civic leaders have welcomed the focus on Yorkshire in the first phase. Sheffield City Council leader Councillor Tom Hunt described the plans as a clear commitment to tackling outdated infrastructure, with faster and more reliable connections helping businesses grow and giving residents access to more opportunities.
The case for change is stark. Journeys between Sheffield or Bradford and Manchester can take up to 54 minutes for distances of around 30 miles, while long-standing overcrowding persists on the Leeds–Manchester corridor. Trips to Manchester Airport from Leeds or Sheffield can exceed 80 minutes, despite the relatively short distance.
Later phases of NPR will see a new line built between Liverpool and Manchester via Manchester Airport and Warrington, followed by further work to strengthen links between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Bradford. A funding cap of £45bn has been set for the programme, with the government pledging closer collaboration with local partners to streamline planning and avoid the cost overruns seen on previous megaprojects.
The NPR programme builds directly on the £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade already under way between York and Manchester, which is electrifying the existing route, adding capacity and improving reliability.
Together, these investments are intended to underpin a broader plan for northern growth, due to be published in the spring. That plan will focus on a Liverpool–York growth corridor and tailored approaches for the North East, capitalising on strengths in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, research, innovation and the visitor economy.
For the rail industry, the announcement signals a sustained pipeline of work across infrastructure, stations, rolling stock and skills, while for passengers and communities it promises a step change in how the North is connected – and how it competes economically with the rest of the country.
