THE British government has unveiled a £15.6bn funding package that includes commitments to support various rail and light rail projects in cities and regions across England.
Among the highlights is a £2.1bn allocation to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, part of which will enable the start of construction in 2028 on the West Yorkshire light rail project, which comprises two lines in Leeds and Bradford. The plan is for the first services to operate by the mid-2030s.
Neighbouring South Yorkshire is also set to receive £1.5bn to renew the Sheffield Supertram network, including investments in a new fleet, integrated ticketing, and updates to stops, as well as laying the foundation for a future extension.
The Northeast of England will receive £1.85bn, including funding to support the construction of a new metro line to Washington, the first addition to the Tyne & Wear Metro network in 30 years. Planning on the new line is already underway, and the first trains are expected to operate on the Pelaw - Washington - South Hylton route, which will serve three new stations and connect with the existing South Hylton - Sunderland line, in 2033. The project is expected to cost around £900m.
Manchester
In Greater Manchester, a £2.5bn funding package includes support for an extension of the Metrolink light rail network from East Didsbury to Stockport town centre. Tram-train services will also be introduced in Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, and new Metrolink stops added in North Manchester, Bury and Oldham. £530m is earmarked for renewing the light rail network, including introducing new LRVs, and for maintenance. The funding will also support the Manchester Combined Authority's efforts to integrate local rail lines into the wider Bee Transport network, integrating rail with light rail, bus and bike services by the end of the decade.
“This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come,” says Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester. “Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network - creating Britain’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030.”
In the West Midlands, the £2.4bn of funding secured includes support for the first phase of the project to extend light rail services from East Birmingham to North Solihull, including the Sports Quarter Regeneration project.
Other major rail projects set to benefit include:
- design of a new mass transit system between Derby and Nottingham from a £2bn total allocation
- £150m to the West of England Combined Authority to improve rail infrastructure, including increasing the frequency of services between the Brabazon development in the north of Bristol and the city centre as part of a £800m commitment, and
- £60m for the platform 3 extension at Middlesbrough station from a £1bn package.
Watershed moment
Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced the funding package on June 4. It will be included in the government’s Spending Review, which will be announced next week. The package is described as a more than double real-time increase in capital spending on local transport in city regions by 2029-30 compared with 2024-25.
“Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands - opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change,” says transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal.”
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