Hub needed to unlock £12bn economic benefits
Yorkshire could miss out on huge economic benefits unless the government funds Network Rail's £560m Northern Hub programme, according to a new study.
The Yorkshire Rail Network Study has highlighted up to £12bn of economic benefits that could be unlocked through measures to improve Yorkshire’s rail connectivity.
Commissioned jointly by Metro, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Leeds City Region, the report found these benefits would result from quicker journeys and improved business links, better commuter services, and more capacity for freight.
The Northern Hub is a package of rail improvements allowing as many as 700 more trains a day to run on railways across the North. This equates to about 44 million more passenger journeys every year and could generate up to 30,000 regional jobs.
"Our study provides backing for rail network improvements that would contribute to Yorkshire's economic growth, and we want to work with the Department for Transport and the rail industry to develop a comprehensive long-term investment plan for the Leeds/Sheffield areas so that the maximum economic benefits are realised," said Metro chairman councillor James Lewis.
South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority chairman councillor Mick Jameson added: "The report before the ITA suggests that faster trains between Sheffield and Leeds are badly needed and these will require investment at both Leeds and Sheffield stations.
"We need to change the platform layouts and make them longer to enable both passenger and freight growth. Major signalling works are already planned at Sheffield station in the next few years, so this presents an ideal opportunity. Alongside the track and signalling improvements, we also want to see investment in train stock as well.
"Schemes to alleviate local pinch-points, improve infrastructure and make possible the standardisation of rolling stock will mean a step-change in local and regional train services, which will attract even greater numbers of passengers, relieving congestion on local roads and growth in our economy."
Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield said: "The Chancellor's recent funding announcements for part of the proposed Northern Hub scheme and for the electrification of the trans-Pennine route between Manchester and York are extremely welcome but are only part of the story.
"Network Rail’s £560m Northern Hub project is forecast to deliver £4.2bn worth of economic benefits including up to 30,000 jobs.
"We are therefore asking for the government to commit to the completion of the Northern Hub project in full when they announce their rail plans for the next five years in the summer. We also need to begin to look ahead beyond the Northern Hub as our study shows that there are many more benefits to be had through investing in our railways."
Earlier this month, leaders of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle councils sent a joint letter to Chancellor George Osborne to stress to the Treasury the importance of approving the £560m Northern Hub in full.
Insider is also calling for the scheme to be approved. Click here for more information on the Back the Bid campaign.
