Business and civic leaders in Yorkshire are urging the UK government to approve a £14bn Rail Upgrade plan that would modernize outdated transport links and unlock economic potential across the region. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Business and civic leaders in Yorkshire are urging the UK government to approve a £14bn Rail Upgrade plan that would modernize outdated transport links and unlock economic potential across the region
Photo: BBC/Spencer Stokes

Yorkshire Unites Around Ambitious Rail Upgrade Plan

The proposal, outlined in Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail by Lord Blunkett, includes major improvements at Leeds, Sheffield, and York stations. It also calls for a new hub in Bradford and electrification between Sheffield and Leeds.

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Additional priorities include enhanced service to Scarborough and Whitby, upgrades to the Penistone Line, and better connectivity for Wakefield’s Five Towns. The region’s three Labour mayors commissioned the report ahead of the upcoming Spending Review.

A coalition of businesses, universities, cultural institutions, and newly promoted Leeds United joined chambers of commerce in signing an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. They described the Rail Upgrade as a down-payment on long-term growth and innovation.

Rail Upgrade Seen as Key to Jobs and Innovation

Tariq Shah OBE, CEO of Vigo Group, emphasized that improving rail connectivity is not only a matter of convenience but a foundation for job creation and innovation. He called it a bold investment in Yorkshire’s future.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insisted the ambition was essential. “Being able to move within and beyond Yorkshire isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he said.

Caroline Routh, director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, explained that poor rail links deter visitors. Many audience members leave early to catch the last train, and 80% rely on cars due to limited public transit options.

Although the Department for Transport claims it is already investing in the North, local leaders believe the proposed Rail Upgrade must be prioritized to bridge longstanding infrastructure gaps and position Yorkshire as a driver of national prosperity.

Source: www.bbc.com

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