Network Rail has announced that the infrastructure and skills garnered during the construction of the £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will help support the rollout of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The announcement followed the news that the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves backed NPR with £1.1bn over the Spending Review period.
This will enable progress on planning, development, and design work to be made which will unlock benefits for the people of the North from the 2030s.
Network Rail stated that the TRU programme has now seen a quarter of that line electrified while £100m has been invested in three dedicated diversionary routes to keep customers and freight on the move during the construction phase.
TRU upgrades the existing Transpennine main line for 70 miles between York and Manchester to provide an electric network and increased capacity that future NPR services will rely on.
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By the end of 2026, improvements at TRU four stations will have been completed, delivering improved accessibility and facilities for customers.
Over 40 miles of track have been laid so far and work is being delivered on 23 stations, and 285 bridges and viaducts.
Over 5,000 people are in post and over 85% of Team TRU consists of people living within 40 miles of the route.
Transpennine Route Upgrade managing director, James Richardson, said: “Today’s announcement is a positive commitment to improving rail travel across the North of England, supporting economic growth in the UK.
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade is already delivering the skills and capability that NPR will build upon along with delivering some of the infrastructure required for its success.
“We are proud to be part of creating an improved, more reliable railway that communities and businesses can rely on – delivering faster, more comfortable journeys, greater capacity, and a better overall experience for passengers, while helping to unlock investment that will support long-term economic growth.”
