Mayor responds to trans-Pennine rail upgrade announcement

Following today's announcement from the Department for Transport relating to the upgrade of the Transpennine rail route, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin has issued the following statement.

19 July 2022

Following today’s announcement from the Department for Transport relating to the upgrade of the Transpennine rail route, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin has issued the following statement:

“The Transpennine Route Upgrade is an important rail investment programme for West Yorkshire, providing better and faster rail connections between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester. Rail services using the route serve all five West Yorkshire districts so getting it right is vital.

“The confirmation that funding has been released to progress the next phase of the upgrade is welcome and I look forward to working with government and rail industry partners to maximise the benefits and limit the disruption to our communities.

“I and other West Yorkshire leaders have been pushing for full electrification of lines and for improvements to help rail freight for some time, so it’s good to see these included in government’s updated plans. I will also continue holding the government to account to ensure the plans are delivered to improve local stopping services and make all stations accessible on this important route.

“And I will continue to push government to deliver on the commitments made in the Integrated Rail Plan that are vital to our region. We’re still waiting to see the terms of reference for the study on how HS2 services can reach Leeds from Sheffield and await details on plans to electrify the route between Leeds and Bradford.

“The TRU upgrade will bring great benefits, but our ambition for a new high-speed line between Leeds and Manchester, with that crucial stop in Bradford, remains. I will continue to progress the case for this with Ministers.”

I and other West Yorkshire leaders have been pushing for full electrification of lines and for improvements to help rail freight for some time, so it’s good to see these included in government’s updated plans.

Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire

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