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Mayors

£14bn 15-year Plan to Transform West Yorkshire's Railways

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The West Yorkshire mayor, Tracy Brabin, and her counterparts from South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, have unveiled a £14bn 15-year plan to revamp the region's railways. The report, penned by Lord Blunkett, estimates that boosting connectivity will add £20bn in gross added value within 10 years. The mayors have met with the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, and Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, to discuss the proposals, and are now urging the Government to get behind the project.

Key Takeaways:

  • The £14bn 15-year plan aims to improve rail services in West Yorkshire, including faster services between Leeds and Sheffield, longer and more modern trains across the network, and faster times on the York to Scarborough line.
  • The plan requires £2.4bn in the spending review to cover immediate projects, including the upgrade of the Transpennine Route.
  • The White Rose Agreement has led to closer collaboration between the West, South, and North Yorkshire mayors, enabling them to work together on a single pitch for the Government.
  • The report estimates that boosting connectivity will add £20bn in gross added value within 10 years.
  • The mayors have already met with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Rail Minister Lord Hendy to discuss the proposals and are now urging the Government to support the project.
  • The report highlights the human impact of delayed and overcrowded trains, including missed hospital appointments, late to work, and inability to attend family gatherings.
  • The mayors are keen to stress the personal stories behind the statistics and are calling for the Government to support the plan.

Statistics:

  • £14bn: The total cost of the 15-year plan to transform West Yorkshire's railways.
  • £2.4bn: The amount required for immediate rail projects, including the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
  • £20bn: The estimated gross added value of boosting connectivity within 10 years.
  • 15 years: The duration of the plan to transform West Yorkshire's railways.
  • 2040s: The estimated time for the completion of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
  • 10 years: The timeframe for the estimated gross added value of boosting connectivity.

Sources:

  • The Yorkshire Post
  • WYMCA (West Yorkshire Metro)

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