Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to end Northern England’s reliance on an outdated transport network, pledging a significant Government investment to improve connectivity and drive economic growth in the region.
The Prime Minister announced a £415 million package aimed at boosting rail services between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, as part of a broader effort to modernise public transport infrastructure. He emphasised that these investments represent a “downpayment for growth”, ensuring that cities across the North are no longer “held to ransom” by poor transport links.
Electrification delays finally addressed
A key element of the plan involves the long-overdue electrification of the railway line between Manchester and York through the TransPennine Route Upgrade. This multibillion-pound scheme has faced repeated delays under successive governments, leading to continued frustration for commuters and businesses in the region.
Alongside this, local leaders are set to receive more than £1 billion to enhance regional transport services, including:
- £270 million to improve bus networks, ensuring more reliable and frequent services.
- £330 million for road maintenance, addressing potholes and congestion issues.
Sir Keir will visit a factory in the North on Friday, where he will call on local authorities to accelerate major transport projects, including:
- A mass transit system in West Yorkshire, to improve urban connectivity.
- A new railway station in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, boosting access to the city’s creative and business hubs.
- The redevelopment of Bury Interchange, modernising a key transport hub.
Starmer: ‘We are rolling up our sleeves’
Speaking ahead of his visit, Sir Keir stressed the urgency of delivering long-overdue upgrades, highlighting the impact of unreliable transport links on everyday life.
“The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity. But for too long, it has been held to ransom by a Victorian-era transport system which has stifled its potential.”
Having lived in Leeds for several years, the Prime Minister said he understands the frustration of local commuters, adding:
“This has real-world impacts – missed appointments, children late to school, work meetings rescheduled – all leading to insecurity and instability for working people. My Government won’t stand by and watch.”
Sir Keir insisted that the Government is committed to delivering real change, contrasting his approach with previous administrations.
“We are rolling up our sleeves, and today’s downpayment for growth is a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries.”
Highlighting economic opportunities in the region, he pointed to:
- Bradford’s film industry, a growing hub for television and film production.
- Liverpool’s life sciences sector, driving medical innovation and research.
- Leeds’ fintech industry, a major centre for financial technology.
“It is time they had a government on their side to get the North motoring again.”
Chancellor: ‘We are investing more in the North than the South’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed the Prime Minister’s commitment, arguing that reliable public transport is essential for economic growth.
“Reliable and affordable transport links are crucial for kickstarting economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets.”
Ms Reeves criticised decades of neglect outside London and the South East, blaming previous governments for allowing the transport system to deteriorate.
“For too long, people have endured delays, cancellations, and failing infrastructure because upgrades that were promised were never delivered.”
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She also highlighted that under the new plans, investment in local transport in the North will be double that of the South.
Conservatives: ‘Reheated announcements’
However, the Conservative Party has hit back, accusing Labour of merely repackaging projects already planned under the previous government.
Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon claimed that while investment in transport is welcome, Labour’s rail reforms could lead to greater union influence, increasing the risk of disruptions and strikes.
“While we are glad that they are going to take forward the plans we conceived, Labour’s recklessly ideological rail reforms will give the trade unions the power to hold the North to ransom, condemning passengers to chaos, confusion, and cancellations.”
Despite these criticisms, the Government insists that the new funding marks a decisive shift in transport policy, ensuring that the North finally gets the infrastructure upgrades it has been promised for decades.
As Sir Keir prepares to meet with local leaders and business representatives, the success of these long-awaited transport improvements will ultimately be judged by their impact on commuters, businesses, and the wider economy in the coming years.
