A bold new plan to overhaul Yorkshire’s outdated rail infrastructure could unlock billions in economic growth and support the UK government’s broader mission for regional development. Spearheaded by Lord Blunkett, the phased strategy outlines how modernising the region’s rail network can address long-standing issues of poor performance, unreliability, and limited capacity.
The report, Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, presents a realistic and cost-effective investment blueprint. It includes proposals for new, accessible stations, modern rolling stock, and immediate service improvements. Long-term goals focus on unlocking capacity at key hubs, such as Leeds, Sheffield, and York, and delivering transformative projects to enhance connectivity between major northern cities. The plan also ties rail investment to broader ambitions for housing, employment, and economic growth.
A central recommendation is for greater devolved powers to enable local leaders to drive change more effectively. The report calls for significant government backing as part of a forthcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy, with £2.4 billion needed for the first phase by 2030, and around £14 billion over 15 years to fully realise the vision.
This is in addition to £2.5 billion required to reintroduce trams in West Yorkshire and fund tram upgrades and extensions in South Yorkshire.
Key proposals include:
- Expanding capacity at Leeds, Sheffield, and York stations
- Building a new through-station in Bradford and a mainline station in Rotherham
- Electrifying and upgrading the Leeds–Sheffield corridor
- Increasing service frequency to areas like Scarborough, the Esk Valley, the Penistone Line, and Wakefield’s Five Towns
Over the next decade, this targeted investment—complementing the ongoing Transpennine Route Upgrade—could inject £20 billion into the regional economy, create 83,000 new jobs, and support the development of 210,000 homes.
The plan was unveiled in Leeds by Lord Blunkett, joined by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, marking a united front in the push for a modern, reliable, and future-ready rail network for Yorkshire.
Lord Blunkett said:
"Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement and this infrastructure plan, the three Mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend.
"It’s been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all.
"By taking action now, the benefits of releasing capacity, speeding up journeys, improving reliability and running more frequent services will be felt not just here, but across the North, Midlands and beyond.
"It’s time to back Yorkshire.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
"We are incredibly grateful to Lord Blunkett for leading this vital and timely review as we work together to create a better-connected region that works for all.
"A lack of investment stretching back decades has left Yorkshire with a rail network no longer fit for purpose. This is holding back ambitious growth plans for our regions which will put more money in people's pockets.
"We owe it to everyone, especially younger generations, to secure our fair share of funding so the region’s train services are suitable for the modern age, getting passengers to where they need to go, when they want to go.”
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said:
"Working together, we can drive real change and boost opportunities across our region. This is a credible, long-term plan to deliver the connectivity our communities need – creating better access to jobs, education and investment.
"In York and North Yorkshire, that means two trains an hour between York and Scarborough, upgraded stations at Malton, Seamer and Scarborough, and a new station at Haxby.
"We need to push forward with the transformation of York Station to maximise the benefits of York Central, one of the most significant regeneration sites in the country. And we need to fix the bottleneck on the East Coast Mainline at Northallerton, which has held back progress for too long.
"We’re ready to build a better-connected North, creating the growth, opportunity, and prosperity our communities deserve."
South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said:
"David Blunkett has, for the first time, made clear the problems created by decades of underinvestment across the whole of Yorkshire and given us a Plan for fixing them, working together across the whole of God’s Own Country. This is the White Rose Agreement in action.
"The Plan we are launching today would address the fundamental issues we face as a region. Here in South Yorkshire we need more trains, investment in our stations, and better connections to Leeds, York, Manchester, London and elsewhere.
"Ultimately, we simply want reliable, effective rail services, so we can get to work, see friends and family or just go for a night out.
"Through this Plan, there is a pathway with a phased approach to fix our broken rail system. I want to see Sheffield fully electrified, a new station at Rotherham, more capacity at Doncaster and new services between Barnsley and London. Thanks to the work of Lord Blunkett, as the three White Rose Yorkshire Mayors, we will work with the government and rail industry partners to turn this Plan into action. We’re getting Rail in Yorkshire back on track."
Image credit: iStock
