Government sets out plans for north of England rail investment

Major rail improvements in northern England "will actually happen", Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said, as she acknowledged the HS2 rail project had become a "byword" for disastrous planning.

Her comments came as the government set out its vision for improved links between England's northern towns and cities in a bid to transform the region and boost the UK economy.

The multibillion pound scheme, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), aims to deliver faster journeys and more frequent trains through upgraded and new lines, and improvements to stations.

It has been more than a decade since such a project was first proposed, but Reeves said improvements should be felt by the early 2030's.

"There needs to be a bit of care, TLC [tender loving care] given up North," she said of the rail infrastructure.

There's a "lot of cancellations up north", she added, comparing her experience with trains in London "where it's not like that".

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, an organisation set up to support the coordinated economic development of the north of England, said the plan provided a "clear route to higher productivity growth".

He added: "Northern Powerhouse Rail will enable a single labour market more like that of London and the South East so a young person in Bradford could aspire to work in Sheffield or Manchester, or a business there attract talent from further afield than they can today."