Hull 'failed again' by rail plans for North

Local politicians have criticised the government after Hull was not included in new plans for a major rail project in the North of England.

The multibillion-pound Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme aims to deliver faster journeys and more frequent trains across the North through a combination of upgraded and new lines, and improvements to stations including Leeds, Sheffield and York.

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said the region had been "failed again".

The government insisted the "whole of the north will benefit from faster and more frequent journeys east to west".

The Northern Powerhouse project was first proposed by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.

Later, in 2023, Rishi Sunak pledged £3bn for upgraded and electrified lines between Manchester and Sheffield, Sheffield and Leeds, Sheffield and Hull, and Hull to Leeds after announcing the HS2 high-speed rail line from Birmingham to Manchester would be scrapped.

In its announcement on Wednesday, the Labour government said its rail project would now be delivered in phases, starting with upgrades to lines between Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield, but made no mention of Hull.

The second phase would be the building of a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, and the third would improve connections between Manchester and cities in Yorkshire, according to the outline of the plan.

Liberal Democrat Ross said: "It is an absolutely shocking failure from our Labour MPs and Reform UK mayor to see our region failed again when it comes to northern powerhouse rail.

"Hull has heard warm words and vague promises on rail investment for far too long."

Ross said the government had the opportunity to set out its commitment to making electrification happen.

"They have failed to do so," he said.

"This is a real let-down for this region and it's frankly not good enough."

Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell said the announcement was another "let down" for the region.

In a statement, he said the Humber, an important economic hub, home to vital energy projects, was being held back.

"Modern, reliable rail links aren't just about faster journeys for passengers. It's the key to unlocking growth, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for people who live and work here," he added.

Campbell said if the government was serious about growth and levelling up the North, Hull and East Yorkshire must be included.

"I'll keep fighting until Hull and East Yorkshire gets the investment it deserves," he said.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said Hull would benefit from the £11bn TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which aims to reduce journey times across the north.

They said: "While the whole of the north will benefit from faster and more frequent journeys east to west, our plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail commit to regular onward services to Hull and Newcastle.

"We will work closely with mayors to consider improvements to those routes."

David Hooper, managing director of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said he was disappointed but not "massively surprised" by the announcement.

"Our rail links are not what they need to be and the announcement today does nothing to improve that," he said.

"Once again the Humber region has been totally overlooked."

Independent campaign group Railfuture Yorkshire welcomed the wider proposals, but said it was concerned by the lack of funding for other essential regional upgrades.

Chair Nina Smith said: "Years of underinvestment have left Yorkshire's rail network creaking at the seams.

"Trains are overcrowded and delays commonplace. Railfuture welcomes the government's commitment to invest in the North's railways, but we are concerned that the proposals do not go far enough and will not be delivered fast enough."

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 he would be campaigning for further rail investment in Hull.

"I'm absolutely committed to working with the business community and local leaders to find a solution to get electrically powered trains to Hull," he added.

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