Rail and road upgrades: Transport links across the north of England are set for a major transformation, following the announcement of significant investments in two key transport projects secured in last week’s budget
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and A57 road upgrade will help better connect northern cities, enhance local transport, and promote economic growth across the region.
Rail and road upgrades: More reliable transport links
The TRU programme will electrify and modernise the main rail route between Manchester and York, passing through Leeds and Huddersfield.
This project hopes to provide faster, greener, and more reliable rail services for commuters and businesses. Once finished, journey times between Manchester and Leeds will be reduced from 50 to 42 minutes, with up to six fast services running every hour.
Services from Manchester to York will also see a reduction of 10 minutes, making travel between these key northern cities quicker and more efficient.
The upgrade is already underway, with electric trains now running between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. The full 70-mile route will be fully electrified, saving an estimated 87,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
In addition to improving the environmental footprint of rail travel, the TRU project is also supporting local jobs, with around 5,000 people working on the scheme, including over 300 apprentices.
A57 upgrade
Along with the rail improvements, the £250 million A57 upgrade will reduce congestion and journey times between Manchester and Sheffield.
Once completed, the new road links will make travel between these major cities faster and smoother, while also benefiting local communities by reducing noise and pollution. This upgrade is expected to boost local businesses and improve access to jobs, helping to stimulate economic growth across the north.
Tackling transport challenges
The investments are part of a wider effort to tackle long-standing transport challenges in the region, where poor infrastructure has held back growth and development for years. With the delivery of these two major projects, the government aims to improve connectivity and unlock the region’s potential as a key economic driver for the UK.
In addition to the rail and road upgrades, the budget also included a £500 million boost for local road maintenance, helping councils fix potholes and improve everyday journeys for drivers across the country. This funding will address ongoing concerns about the state of local roads and further enhance the transport experience for people across northern England.
