Yorkshire Labour mayors to unveil Lord Blunkett's £14bn plan to fix region's rail network

It will show how constrained and creaking Victorian-era infrastructure is holding the region back, with train services regularly failing to meet the needs of both passengers and businesses due to poor performance and a lack of reliability.

Lord Blunkett said: "Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement and this infrastructure plan, the three Mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend.

"It’s been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all.”

The report, titled “Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail”, will set out a “creditable and affordable” package of investment to transform connectivity between the North’s major centres.

It is calling for £2.4bn in the Government’s spending review in the summer and a total of £14bn over the next 15 years to deliver faster, more frequent and reliable train services.

This will focus on increasing capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York, building a new through station at Bradford and a mainline station in Rotherham.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “A lack of investment stretching back decades has left Yorkshire with a rail network no longer fit for purpose. This is holding back ambitious growth plans for our regions which will put more money in people's pockets.”

The report also recommends carrying out upgrades between Leeds and Sheffield, and increasing the frequency of services for places such as Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield's Five Towns.

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said: “This is a credible, long-term plan to deliver the connectivity our communities need – creating better access to jobs, education and investment.”

While South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard added: “The plan we are launching today would address the fundamental issues we face as a region.

“Here in South Yorkshire we need more trains, investment in our stations, and better connections to Leeds, York, Manchester, London and elsewhere.”