Skip to main content

Government sets out blueprint for Northern Powerhouse

The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has set out the blueprint for how US$20 billion of government investment in transport will help create the Northern Powerhouse. The investment aims to make transport better by improving the links, bringing cities closer together and strengthening connections. The blueprint shows how transport links across the north are being transformed by government investment. Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This one nation government is determined to close the e
August 14, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The UK’s 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) has set out the blueprint for how US$20 billion of government investment in transport will help create the Northern Powerhouse.

The investment aims to make transport better by improving the links, bringing cities closer together and strengthening connections. The blueprint shows how transport links across the north are being transformed by government investment.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This one nation government is determined to close the economic gap between north and south. Investing in transport – something that successive governments have failed to do sufficiently – is vital to making that happen.

“We had a choice - building the infrastructure our country needs, or letting our transport system become a brake on growth and opportunity. We have chosen to invest for the future.

“Across the north, that investment is already having a huge impact, with programmes underway to upgrade our railways and our roads. We are determined to keep the momentum going.”

Commercial secretary at the Treasury Lord O’Neill added: “Investing in first class transport infrastructure is a key part of our commitment to create a Northern Powerhouse. Our investment is helping to better connect the region, building a strong Northern economy, and it is great to see the huge progress already underway.”

The blueprint includes some recently-completed projects, including new electric train services between Manchester, Liverpool and Wigan for the first time. Other improvements include US$7.5 billion investment in the period up to 2020/21 in over 40 major road schemes across Yorkshire, the north east and north west; the opening of the refurbished station at Manchester Victoria this autumn; a new southern entrance to Leeds station, to serve the expanding commercial area south of the River Aire; new franchises that will see modern trains and additional capacity on Trans-Pennine services between Leeds and Manchester and the removal of Pacer trains on Northern routes; work to deliver faster trains and better services between Sheffield and London; in the longer-term, transforming city to city rail connectivity across the region, radically reducing travel times, through HS2 and TransNorth east-west rail links.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Integrating ferry transport into smart ticketing
    March 1, 2013
    Transport authorities are increasingly looking to integrate ferry travel into the mix of public transport. David Crawford finds out more. The new A$370m (US$398m) Opal public transport smartcard system being installed by the Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS)-led Pearl consortium in Sydney is geographically the largest in the world to date. The consortium includes the Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Australian retail payment system provider ePay; Australian infrastructure engineering company Downer Group; a
  • Melbourne metro funding fast-tracked
    February 16, 2015
    Work has begun on one of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects: two nine-kilometre underground rail tunnels that will transform Melbourne’s public transport system. The Victoria government has fast-tracked US$31 million to establish the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority and start work on the project as soon as possible. The project also includes five new underground stations. The Authority will oversee immediate planning works, complete development of the reference design and undertake detailed site inve
  • Keolis Amey Docklands to run Docklands Light Railway until 2021
    July 10, 2014
    Transport for London (TfL) has named Keolis Amey Docklands as the new franchisee of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to operate and maintain the network until April 2021, with an option for this to be extended until 2023. Around 100 million passenger journeys are made on the DLR network annually and this new contract, with a value in excess of US$1.2 million, will commence on 7 December 2014 and will see Keolis Amey Docklands work with TfL to ensure that passengers continue to see improvements to thei
  • Keolis Amey Docklands to run Docklands Light Railway until 2021
    July 10, 2014
    Transport for London (TfL) has named Keolis Amey Docklands as the new franchisee of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to operate and maintain the network until April 2021, with an option for this to be extended until 2023. Around 100 million passenger journeys are made on the DLR network annually and this new contract, with a value in excess of US$1.2 million, will commence on 7 December 2014 and will see Keolis Amey Docklands work with TfL to ensure that passengers continue to see improvements to thei