Bradford

Yorkshire railways to receive huge investment as government unveils £45 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail project

"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt."

Clementine Hall - 14th January 2026

Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.

The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.

The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.

The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.

The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".

Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.

"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."

"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."

Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.

In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."

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Featured image - The Hoot Leeds