Budget: Better rail network at heart of transport plans

A PROPOSAL to create a high quality regional rail network across the North as part of a wider vision for transport - dubbed TransNorth - will be unveiled by the Government later this week.
By James Reed, Political Correspondent
Published 18th Mar 2015, 17:00 BST
A report on north transport improvements will be published later this weekA report on north transport improvements will be published later this week
A report on north transport improvements will be published later this week

George Osborne used the Budget to confirm the imminent Transport for the North plan he commissioned last year to explore the idea of a high speed transpennine rail link, known as HS3, and wider transport improvements to boost the economy.

The ‘red book’ published alongside the Budget said the Transport for the North report would “build on the concept of HS3 to develop a network of high quality rail connections across the north – the TransNorth vision; bring the benefits of HS2 to the north sooner than planned; and work towards a single smart and integrated ticketing system across the region.”

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The Budget also included a firmer commitment on the electrification of the Hull to Selby rail line with a promise the work will be complete by 2024.

Humber Local Enterprise chairman Lord Haskins said: “For the first time, the commitment and the money is now there from Government to complete the scheme.”

The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this month that a re-write of the Transport for the North plan had been ordered ahead of the Budget after northern council leaders deemed the first draft too vague.

Related topics:BudgetNorthGovernment