Wed, 24 Sep 2025

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 Northern Powerhouse Rail plans delayed again

The BBC understands the prime minister will now not announce plans for a rail link between Manchester and Liverpool at the Labour Party conference.
The Northern Powerhouse Rail project, which aims to reduce travel times between northern cities and boost the economy, had been expected to be announced by Prime Minister at Labour Party conference next week. However, an extended review process is underway, with government insiders citing concerns over long-term costs of a proposed line between Liverpool and Manchester. A plan was initially expected in June's Spending Review, then in the infrastructure strategy unveiling, but no announcements have been made to date. The Treasury has been approached for comment, but it remains unclear when the project will be revived. Northern mayors had been reassured that plans would occur before or at Labour Party conference, but now indicate that announcement has slipped back. Lucy Powell and Angela Rayner, former champions of the project in the cabinet, are no longer ministers. A government source said they remain fully committed to Northern Powerhouse Rail, but more time is being taken to process an "extended review" of plans. The source added: "We're determined to learn from the mistakes of the past and not repeat the previous government's failures over HS2." HS2 has been plagued by setbacks, including missed deadlines and ballooning costs, with opening now expected beyond 2033. A particular issue is whether connecting Manchester Airport to the centre of Manchester represents value for money, a key part of Northern Powerhouse Rail project. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously called on government to push ahead with Liverpool to Manchester rail line. In response to delayed plans, a source close to Burnham said: "Any more tyre kicking and there will be no tyre left." The architect of the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2, Andrew Gilligan, recently wrote a report calling for Northern Powerhouse Rail to be scrapped.
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