The plans hope to unlock the North’s economic potential and boost living standards
Hull Paragon Interchange(Image: Donna Clifford/HullLive)
The Government says Hull will benefit from “improved services” as plans to transform travel across the North are announced. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised renewal in setting out a new Northern Growth Strategy.
The centrepiece of the new strategy will be the much-anticipated Northern Powerhouse Rail. The Government says the plan will reverse years of underinvestment and deliver faster and more frequent rail across the North, better connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, York, with improved services to Newcastle and Hull.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “If economic growth is the challenge, investment and renewal is the solution. That’s why we’re reversing years of chronic underinvestment in the North.
“Our transformative plans will create jobs, build homes and unlock opportunities for businesses to invest. That’s how we deliver economic growth, a renewed Britain and more money in working people’s pockets.”
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has added: “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.
“A reliable commute, a secure job, a thriving town centre – these are all things that everyone should expect. But over and over again people in Northern communities, from Liverpool and Manchester to York and Newcastle have been let down by broken promises. 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. This investment is proof we’re putting our money where our mouth is, working with local leaders to deliver the transport links that will help working people do what they need to in life – getting to work, taking the kids to school, or days out with the family.”
Hull City Councillors are set to this week discuss a motion on Northern Powerhouse Rail, with the council meeting’s agenda having been set prior to the Government’s announcement. Cllr Mark Ieronimo, the portfolio holder for transport in the Liberal Democrat run council has put forward a motion, stating: “The Government are finally due to lay out their plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail, albeit months delayed.
The motion adds: “This project isn’t new and has been in discussions for over a decade. This council chamber has called for investment in the railway infrastructure serving the Hull area over many years and our asks of Government remains the same.”
Cllr Ieronimo’s motions asks the leader of the council, Cllr Mike Ross, to write to the Tom Riordan, the Treasury’s new Northern Growth Corridor envoy, and to the Secretary of State for Transport, “to make clear the case for the city and to seek confirmation that Hull will get the fair and proper funding in to the rail infrastructure serving the city.”
Is Hull the best place to live in Yorkshire? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here.