Multi-billion pound drive to rail and growth across Yorkshire

Government confirms £45bn programme with Leeds and Bradford at the heart of Northern rail upgrades

Transcript

00:00The government has reaffirmed its commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, confirming Bradford

00:06will be central to the £45bn programme, linking major northern cities including Leeds, Manchester,

00:12Sheffield and Liverpool. The plan prioritises faster, more frequent services, beginning

00:17with upgrades to electrify lines and accelerate journeys between Leeds and Bradford, alongside

00:22immediate quick wins for the region. Funding has also been allocated to progress planning

00:27for a new Bradford station and evaluate options for improved links to Manchester via Huddersfield.

00:33Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the project will finally end decades of broken promises

00:38to Northern communities and deliver real, lasting improvements in connectivity.

00:43Chancellor Rachel Reeves added that investment will create jobs, build homes and support business

00:47growth with £1.1bn allocated in the current spending review period to advance planning

00:53and design work. The programme complements the ongoing Trans-Pennine

00:56route upgrade and includes wider improvements from Liverpool to York, aiming to transform

01:01commuting and regional productivity. Local leaders, including West Yorkshire Mayor

01:06Tracey Braben, welcomed the announcement highlighting the benefits for jobs, capacity and journey times

01:12across the region. The government has committed to a funding cap to ensure value for taxpayers

01:17and avoid overruns seen in previous projects. Early delivery of these upgrades is expected to

01:22enhance connections between city centres, unlock business investment and provide reliable travel

01:27options for communities throughout Yorkshire.