Greater Manchester Leaders Back Northern Powerhouse Rail Growth Plan

Leaders across Greater Manchester have endorsed the government’s newly unveiled growth strategy for the North, welcoming what they describe as a clear commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail and accelerating long-awaited improvements to rail connectivity.

Northern Powerhouse Rail sits at the centre of the government’s plans to support faster journeys, job creation, new housing and increased investment. The scheme is intended to strengthen links between major centres including Manchester, Manchester Airport, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Warrington, York, Newcastle, Chester and North Wales. Local leaders said careful design will ensure Manchester’s stations are fully integrated with the Bee Network so that the benefits are felt across the wider city region.

The Chancellor has confirmed that £1.1 billion will be provided during the current Spending Review period to support the programme, enabling work to begin on planning, development and detailed design for the new rail network.

Under the proposals, a completely new line linking Liverpool and Manchester via Warrington and Manchester Airport will be delivered during the second phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail in the 2030s. Development work on the route and its business case is set to start immediately.

As part of this process, Greater Manchester will work alongside central government to examine how an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly could unlock significant regeneration and economic growth. Leaders argue that taking trains beneath the city centre could release land for redevelopment and support long-term expansion across the region.

The preferred underground option would allow services to run through Manchester Piccadilly rather than terminate there, improving reliability and reducing journey times to West Yorkshire and beyond. It is also seen as a way of future-proofing the station to cope with rising passenger demand over the coming decades, while keeping people connected to jobs, homes and opportunities.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“Finally, we have a government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre. A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond. Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK's fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth. Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“This is a massive moment for Manchester, and Greater Manchester as a whole. We have campaigned long and hard for much-needed investment in rail in the city across the North better linking the great cities and towns of the North – to create and support jobs, regeneration and other opportunities for our people. The previous Government failed us. But today’s announcement is a serious commitment to that vision after years of frustration. For people in Manchester this will mean more reliable and more frequent – not just faster - services to Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Warrington and York. After many years of us making the case, for the first time a Government has recognised the potential benefits of an underground station and in the coming years we will work closely and constructively with Government to see that become a reality. At long last people across the North will finally feel the benefits."

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:

“This is a welcome and long overdue step towards the creation of a highly productive and internationally competitive Northern growth corridor. By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world. That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the North - maximising the region's contribution to national growth. The project will deliver the public investment needed to turbo-charge MAG's £1.3bn transformation of Manchester Airport. It will unlock the full capacity of Manchester's existing two full-length runways - capacity that is available now. That is why we look forward to working with Government and regional partners on ways to deliver NPR at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Image: Transport for Greater Manchester