The long-delayed Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project has finally been given the official go-ahead by the government, promising a major overhaul of east-west rail connections across the North of England. Announced on 14 January 2026, the plan includes a pivotal new, faster link between Manchester and Liverpool, aiming to address years of underinvestment and unreliable services.
A New Era for Northern Connectivity
For years, residents and businesses in the north have contended with patchy and slow rail links between major economic hubs. City leaders have consistently argued that modern, reliable railways are essential to 'unlock the full potential' of the regional economy. The government has now committed to delivering the NPR in full, marking it as a central part of a regional growth strategy designed to better connect cities, homes, and jobs.
The core of the initial phase will focus on improving connections between Manchester and towns and cities in West Yorkshire. However, the benefits will ripple outwards, with Leeds set to gain from an electric line upgrade to Sheffield and Bradford. The project also envisions faster, more frequent services extending to Newcastle and Hull. In a significant development, the announcement raises the prospect of a new train link between Birmingham and Manchester, years after the northern leg of HS2 was scrapped.
What Does the NPR Project Involve?
Northern Powerhouse Rail is conceived as an integrated network of rail upgrades and new links designed to slash journey times across the North West and Yorkshire, with future connections planned for the North East. The network will stitch together upgraded rail sections to enable swift travel between towns and key economic centres.
The government acknowledged that connectivity in the North 'lags behind the South', a situation worsened by the cancellation of HS2's northern leg in 2023 under Rishi Sunak's premiership. The NPR, first proposed by George Osborne in 2014 before being shelved, has since been revived as a critical alternative.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who studied in Leeds, stated: 'I saw first hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North. This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt.' He added that his government is 'rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change' through the NPR.
Funding and Local Reaction
The government has insisted the NPR will avoid the budgetary overruns that plagued HS2. Total government funding for the Powerhouse project will be capped at £45 billion, with over £1 billion allocated for immediate development work.
The announcement has been met with strong approval from Northern leaders. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 'Finally, we have a government with an ambitious vision for the North... A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North.' He also welcomed the openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, highlighted the historical significance: 'Two hundred years ago, we built the world’s first passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester – and changed history. After more than a decade of dither, delay and broken promises, this is the start of a new era.'
The Manchester-Liverpool Express Link
A centrepiece of the new plans is a proposed express route between Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street. This aims to cut the current 45-55 minute journey time by around 20 minutes. The faster service will be achieved by limiting stops to just three: Manchester Airport, Warrington Bank Quay, and Liverpool Gateway. Both terminus stations are also slated for significant revamps and modernisation, supporting the ambition for a 21st-century rail network for the North.
