Transforming connectivity in the Northconnecting the people, communities and businesses of the North
Our preferred Northern Powerhouse Rail network will:
3.8 million
3.8 million people within 90 minutes of four or more northern cities
100000
Over 100,000 more jobs in our urban areas
£3.4 billion
GVA uplift valued at £3.4bn in 2040
Our vision is of a thriving North of England where modern transport connections drive economic growth and support an excellent quality of life.
The benefits
Bring Manchester Airport within 90 minutes reach for 4.3 million people (with NPR and HS2)
Integrate with HS2, TRU and other rail schemes to maximise benefits for the North
Better connect the North’s ‘prime capabilities’ (advanced manufacturing, energy, health innovation and digital)
Increasing opportunities for both workers and consumers
Reducing disruption and improving capacity across the network
Delivering better freight services and reduced conflict with other traffic
Northern Powerhouse Rail could be delivered over a 20-year period through a combination of new lines, use of planned HS2 infrastructure, and major upgrades to existing routes
The picture today
The city region has seen rail passenger numbers rocket. Newcastle station alone welcomes more than 8.9 million passengers every year, up 16% compared in the last decade.
Newcastle has many great qualities and for centuries the city has been a major gateway for the UK and Northern Europe. Its prosperous links with The Netherlands and Scandinavia are a great asset to this country, but a modern rail service is essential to capitalise on this historic trading route
Tim Wood
Director, Northern Powerhouse Rail
Connecting and empowering the North's
prime capabilities
Advanced Manufacturing
Energy
Health Innovation
Digital
A blueprint for the future
We are exploring options to offer much faster connections from Newcastle to Leeds, via Durham, Darlington and York, by delivering a major upgrade to the existing East Coast Main Line and utilising the planned new HS2 infrastructure.
Northern Powerhouse Rail junctions with HS2
Junction on HS2 mainline for Leeds - North East services
Junction on HS2 Leeds spur to facilitate through services via existing Leeds station
Junction on HS2 mainline for Sheffield - Leeds services
Junction at Manchester Piccadilly to support Northern Powerhouse Rail platforms
Junction on HS2 Manchester spur for Manchester - Liverpool services
South facing junction on HS2 mainline for London - Liverpool services
Expectations
Northern Powerhouse Rail could deliver a step-change in Newcastle’s connectivity, delivering transformational, clean, economic growth.
With Transport for the North’s preferred network, we expect:
A resilient and reliable network
that will reduce disruption and improve capacity
180000
more people within 90 minutes of Newcastle city centre *
4000
more businesses within 90 minutes of Newcastle city centre *
* Benefits are based on preliminary assessment and are subject to change.
The North must rise to the occasion. Now is the time to help make a vision for better rail a reality.
Northern Powerhouse Rail:
Connecting and growing the economy of the North of England.