Overview
- Ministers set a central funding cap of £45bn in 2025 prices and released £1.1bn this Parliament for planning, development and design.
- Phase one prioritizes upgrades and electrification on existing West Yorkshire routes between Sheffield–Leeds, Leeds–York and Leeds–Bradford, targeted for the 2030s.
- Phase two establishes a new Liverpool–Manchester connection via Manchester Airport and Warrington using a mix of new and existing lines, followed by phase‑three trans‑Pennine enhancements.
- The government states a long‑term intention to build a Birmingham–Manchester line after NPR, not a reinstatement of HS2, with relevant HS2 land retained and no timetable provided.
- Regional mayors welcomed the direction of travel, while unions and experts warned of limited guaranteed funding and absent dates; discussions now cover station choices, a new Bradford station, reopening the Leamside Line and possible local contributions including for a Manchester Piccadilly underground option.