A £14billion plan to transform Yorkshire’s old railway system has been proposed by a former home secretary.
Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, put forward by Lord Blunkett, calls for increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, a new through-station for Bradford and a mainline station at Rotherham.
Other proposals include electrifying the line between Leeds and Sheffield and increasing the frequency of services for places such as Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield district’s Five Towns.
But this all comes at a cost.
The first phase of improvements would need £2.4billion of government investment from now until 2030.
This is in addition to the £2.5billion needed for a tram network in West Yorkshire and extension into South Yorkshire.
This plan comes ahead of the government’s spending review next month.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will decide which infrastructure projects across the country will get funding.
At a time when there are calls to improve the transport system in the north of England, Lord Blunkett’s review could persuade ministers and civil servants.
Lord Blunkett has said that this will be ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to improve connectivity and unlock economic growth in the region.
If the investment goes ahead, it could add £20billion to the region’s economy over the next decade and help generate 83,000 jobs and the building of 210,000 new homes.
The review has been launched alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith in Leeds.
Lord Blunkett said: ‘Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement, external and this infrastructure plan, the three Mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend.
‘It’s been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all.’
Ms Brabin said the rail network in Yorkshire is ‘no longer fit for purpose’ and investment is needed to help the younger generation.
Mr Skaith said: ‘In York and North Yorkshire, that means two trains an hour between York and Scarborough, upgraded stations at Malton, Seamer and Scarborough, and a new station at Haxby.
‘We need to push forward with the transformation of York Station to maximise the benefits of York Central, one of the most significant regeneration sites in the country.’
Mr Coppard said better connections to London, improved stations and more trains are needed.
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