New rail agreement to deliver better journeys for passengers across West Yorkshire

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has signed a landmark agreement with the rail industry - marking a significant step towards a more integrated, reliable and passenger-focused railway across the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the rail industry – the first of its kind – brings together key rail partners operating in the region including Network Rail, and publicly owned operators Northern, TransPennine Express and LNER.

It sets out a shared commitment to work in partnership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), the new national body that will oversee rail infrastructure and services to create a more reliable, affordable, and efficient railway.

The Combined Authority is already working with partners to deliver significant projects, such as the transformation of Leeds Railway Station, but the agreement signals a new phase in which the Combined Authority will play a more central role in shaping rail services and investment across the region.

The MoU (read in full here) establishes how partners will work together to accelerate the benefits of national rail reform regionally – improving services for passengers and better-connecting communities now, without waiting for the formalities of GBR.

Under the agreement, partners have agreed shared objectives to:

• Improve integration between rail and other forms of transport as part of the Mayor’s Weaver Network.
• Support economic growth and new opportunities across West Yorkshire.
• Drive passenger and rail freight growth through better performance and customer experience.
• Enhance safety, including a focus on women and girls.

The partnership will also support the delivery of the ambitions set out in the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan – boosting productivity, enabling inclusive growth, improving health and wellbeing and tackling the climate emergency.

The agreement establishes new ways of working to improve coordination, speed up decision-making and maximise the impact of investment across the rail network, including the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Partners have agreed a programme of work to be delivered by the end of 2028, including:

• A co-developed Weaver Network Rail vision document covering integration, investment and services.
• Improvements to accessibility at rail stations across the region.
• A programme of station improvements to enhance the customer experience and better integrate rail with other forms of transport.
• New ways of working to progress West Yorkshire’s new stations programme, which includes Elland and Thorpe Park rail stations.
• A joint study with operators on the opportunities for service improvements across the region.

The MoU also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to devolution and the importance of decisions being taken closer to the communities they affect.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:

"This Government is backing West Yorkshire with billions in transport investment – from Leeds station to Northern Powerhouse Rail and the TransPennine Route Upgrade – and this agreement will ensure that investment works harder for passengers.

"Ahead of the formal establishment of Great British Railways, bringing track and train closer together and working hand in hand with local leaders will help cut through fragmentation and put passengers at the heart of the network – unlocking faster journeys, better stations and stronger connections to drive growth, jobs and homes across the region."

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“Our region deserves a modern rail network – and this agreement shows we are ready to take on a bigger role in shaping the railway, so it matches our ambitions.

“By working hand in hand with our rail partners, we can deliver more reliable services, better stations and a smoother, better-connected journeys for passengers as part of our Weaver Network.

“This partnership puts West Yorkshire at the forefront of rail reform, ensuring our communities see the benefits sooner – supporting growth, tackling the climate emergency and improving quality of life.”

Tricia Williams, Managing Director of Northern, representing the rail partners, said:

“This agreement marks an important step in how we work together to deliver a better railway for the people and communities of West Yorkshire.

“By strengthening our partnership with the Combined Authority and industry colleagues, we can focus on what matters most to our customers – more reliable services, simpler journeys and stations that are easier to use.

“This Memorandum of Understanding gives us a clear framework to align our plans, improve performance and support the region’s growth, while preparing for the transition to Great British Railways. We’re particularly pleased to be working closely with partners to identify opportunities to enhance services and improve the overall experience for our passengers."

The partnership will be overseen by a Strategic Rail Partnership Board and supported by closer working between organisations at every level.

It will also engage neighbouring regions and partners to ensure improvements extend beyond West Yorkshire’s boundaries.