The government has published an update on its Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme and confirmed its intention to develop a new rail line between Birmingham and Manchester.
The Treasury has clarified that this line will not be a reinstatement of the HS2 Phase 2b extension cancelled in 2023. Instead, the proposed Birmingham–Manchester route is planned to follow the completion of NPR as a separate long-term project.
With a total funding cap of £45 billion, the programme is expected to deliver:
- A new Liverpool–Manchester route via Warrington and Manchester Airport
- Improved Trans-Pennine links between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York
- Faster and more frequent services across the North
- Enhanced connections to Newcastle, Hull and North Wales
According to the government, benefits from Northern Powerhouse Rail are expected “from the 2030s.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Northern Powerhouse Rail will deliver faster, more frequent services across the great cities of the North, unlocking jobs, homes and opportunities and creating a world-class growth corridor that the people of the region need and deserve."
Phased delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail
Phase 1: Early Upgrades
- Better rail links between Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford
- Early improvements to capacity and reliability
- Development work on the Leamside Line in the North East
Phase 2: New Liverpool–Manchester Route
- A brand-new line between Liverpool and Manchester
- Running via Warrington and Manchester Airport
- Designed to reduce journey times and improve airport access
Phase 3: Trans-Pennine Improvements
- Faster, more frequent services across the Pennines
- Improved connections between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York
Onward Connections
Services will continue to:
- Newcastle (via Darlington and Durham)
- Hull
- Chester, providing links to North Wales
Long-Term Ambition (Beyond NPR)
- A future new rail line between Manchester and Birmingham
- To be delivered after NPR and separate from HS2