The Chancellor and Transport Secretary visited Manchester today to outline plans for two multi-billion-pound transport upgrades designed to boost connectivity, reduce travel times, and support economic growth across northern England. The announcement follows last week’s budget, which secured funding for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and the A57 link road project, both aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure needs in the region.
The Transpennine Route Upgrade, set to enhance rail services between Manchester, Leeds, and York, will be a cornerstone of improved connectivity in the north. With a focus on faster, greener, and more reliable rail journeys, the TRU project will cut journey times between Manchester and Leeds to just 42 minutes. Additionally, journeys between Manchester and York will be reduced by 10 minutes. Once completed, the fully electrified 70-mile line is expected to cut 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, part of the government’s broader push for sustainable transport solutions.
During their visit, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh observed ongoing progress on the western section of the TRU, where electric trains are now running between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. The project currently supports 5,000 local jobs, including 300 apprenticeships, and is expected to continue providing employment opportunities as it progresses.
Chancellor Reeves highlighted the importance of such infrastructure improvements, stating, “Investment in our transport infrastructure is vital to delivering our growth mission. Without improvements to our roads and rail, we won’t be able to create jobs and boost business, which is why I prioritised projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the long-awaited A57 upgrade in the Budget last week.”
For road users, the A57 upgrade represents a significant improvement to a route that has faced decades of congestion and delays. The £250 million project, which is due to start within weeks, will create two new link roads aimed at easing bottlenecks and providing quicker journey times between Manchester and Sheffield. Local communities will benefit from reduced noise and pollution, while businesses will see faster delivery times and improved accessibility to jobs.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh added, “Reliable, well-connected transport links are crucial to driving up productivity and unlocking opportunities for jobs, education, and businesses across our towns and cities. But for too long, the north’s transport infrastructure has been neglected.”
In addition to these upgrades, the Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local road maintenance, enabling local authorities to repair an estimated one million potholes each year and improve daily commutes for residents.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the investment as a “statement of intent” from the government, which he believes will help harness the economic potential of the north. “This major investment in our roads and railways will mean better connections between Greater Manchester and key towns and cities across the Pennines,” he stated. “After years of failed promises, it’s a real commitment to quicker, more reliable journeys for millions.”
Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines expressed gratitude for the public’s patience as work continues, noting that today’s ministerial visit “provided both the Chancellor and Transport Secretary with an opportunity to see first-hand the substantial progress being made… including the electrification upgrades between Manchester and Stalybridge.”
The upgrades mark a pivotal shift in addressing the infrastructure demands of northern England, signalling new investment in its economic growth potential.