UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling with Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, and Siemens staff at the site of the planned train factory in Goole. Credit: © Crown copyright.

The UK is expected to start a £3bn upgrade programme to the Transpennine route in the first half of 2019.

The announcement was made by UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling who also stated that an Independent Affordability Review has been set up to evaluate the financial feasibility of Crossrail 2. The review has been commissioned jointly by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Speaking in Leeds, Grayling stated that he will work with local authorities along the Transpennine route to maximise benefits of the £3bn investment, including the creation of new stations and finding opportunities for housing development.

Grayling said: “I want to realise passenger benefits from the £3bn we have ring-fenced for the Pennine route as fast as possible.

“Network Rail has already begun detailed designs, and provided us with options for the Transpennine Route Upgrade to meet the objectives we’ve set out – for journey times, capacity and reliability.

“That, in turn, has given us an opportunity to undertake the work in phases starting as soon as spring next year.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
“I want to realise passenger benefits from the £3bn we have ring-fenced for the Pennine route as fast as possible.”

The Independent Affordability Review into Crossrail 2, to be led by former managing director of Thames Tideway Tunnel Mike Gerrard, will focus on the affordability of the project and value for money for the taxpayer.

It will also ensure that the project emulates the best practices followed by earlier projects such as Crossrail.

Mike Gerrard said: “Crossrail 2 has the potential to relieve congestion and unlock housing, jobs and development to support future growth in London, but it is imperative that it can be delivered in an affordable way that is fair to both the London public and the wider UK taxpayer.”

The review is expected to be completed by the latter half of this year.